Activities include a lunchtime brown-bag lecture series, which is open to the public, as well as a candlelight march, music, speakers and other programs for UD students, faculty and staff. John Ralph, assistant director of the office of diverse student populations, said the commemorative activities are important on several levels. It's also an opportunity for those of us who are of African descent and those who are not to come together and celebrate our commonalities.
All lectures begin at noon, and visitors are invited to bring a lunch to eat during the session.
Marshall, an African-American Catholic priest and assistant professor of religious studies, joined the University of Dayton community after serving for 16 years as pastor at St. Aloysius Parish in Cleveland. Marshall received a master's degree at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and he taught in high schools in Cleveland and Dayton before his assignment at St. Aloysius. She taught for 30 years in Dayton's public schools and is credited with introducing black history into the Dayton school curriculum in 1968. Peters remains active as an historian and educator with youth and community organizations. The Newbern, Ala., native received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and master's degree in counselor education from the University of Dayton.