MLK Luncheon Scheduled for January 12

FARMVILLE – The Southside Virginia Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association has scheduled the 13^th annual Martin Luther King Birthday Commemoration Luncheon for January 12, 2019.

Rev. Van Petty, a long-time active citizen and resident of Cumberland, Virginia and native of Pittsylvania County, will be the keynote speaker for the 13^th annual Martin Luther King Birthday Commemoration Luncheon. This luncheon is sponsored annually by the Southside Virginia chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association. This event is scheduled to be held at the Prince Edward County middle school, Farmville, Virginia, on January 12, 2019 at 12 noon.

The keynote speaker Rev. Van Petty is retired from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Currently, Rev. Petty serves as an associate pastor at the Tearwallet Baptist Church in Cumberland, Va. Rev. Petty is an active member of the Southside Virginia Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association. This VSU graduate earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Education from VSU. During Rev. Petty’s professional career with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, he served in various positions, such as the Extension Agent 4-H/Agriculture, Cumberland County, Area Extension Agent 4-H/Agriculture, Prince Edward County, and Regional Director, East Central District Offfice, Appomattox, Va.

Rev. Petty has served and continues to actively serve his community well. He has served on the Cumberland County Planning Commission, the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors, and he is currently serving on the Cumberland County Public Schools Foundation Board, and the Cumberland County Electoral Board.

Rev. Petty is married to Joanne Smith Petty. They are the proud parents of three children and two grandchildren.

The local VSUAA chapter is fortunate to have Rev. Van Petty to be the keynote speaker. Rev. Van Petty is a minister of the gospel, and deeply rooted in his religious faith and the struggles for equality for all. He will speak about the proud legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as the transformative education and personal development opportunities that exist for current and future college students, their parents, and others that could be gained by enrolling at VSU.

The Southside Virginia Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association is one of many VSU alumni chapters, throughout the country and the world, comprised of individuals who have graduated, attended, or who support VSU. The purpose of this local chapter is to promote scholarship by presenting at least two scholarships each year to freshmen students entering VSU.

Also, the chapter will be completing its payment toward its $10,000.00 VSU Foundation Scholarship Endowment within the coming weeks.

Proceeds from this event will go toward the above.

Also, at this event, interested individuals will be afforded the opportunity to join the Virginia State University Alumni Association.

For ticket information, please contact Kylor or Mary Reed at 434-392-6350, Barbara Marshall at 804-561-3651, or Edith Austin at 434-392-6958.