(Posted January 31, 2005)


HUNTINGDON, Pa. --Juniata College students and faculty Juniata College will participate in the 16th National African American Read-in Chain, an annual program sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English, Monday, Feb. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cyber Café in Ellis College Center; and from 4 to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the von Liebig Center for Science on the Juniata campus.

The readings are free and open to the public.

The NCTE developed this program to celebrate the contributions of black writers to t he American literary heritage. This Black History Month program hopes to enlist a million readers across the United States-in schools, churches, bookstores, community centers, and other public spaces. At Juniata College, students, faculty, and staff will be reading.

"Too often many people think of American literature as being separate from African-American literature," says Judy Katz, associate professor of English, who has organized the event with Cynthia Meriwether-DeVries, assistant professor of sociology, and Rosalie Rodriguez, director of the office of diversity and inclusion.

Denique Conner, a senior from Rochester, NY, says, "I've participated several times as a reader, and it gives me great joy to be a part of something that encourages cultural awareness and appreciation."

This is the second year that Juniata has participated in this program.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.