Penn College News

A rainbowed burst of 'pride'

Thursday, April 22, 2021

A number of events, free and open to the entire campus, marked Penn College's annual observance of Pride Week (April 19-23). Activities celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and its allies featured a flag-raising in the Hager Lifelong Education Center Loop on Monday and a silent auction of handmade items in the Bush Campus Center on Thursday. Also included were Safe Zone training for employees, takeaway crafts and a screening of "The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson" – a documentary chronicling a prominent gay-rights advocate – in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium.


– Photos by Tim Wegman, student photographer (graduating next month in industrial design);
Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; and Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday


With a nod to Pride Rock of

With a nod to Pride Rock of "The Lion King" fame ...

... a campus landmark gets a multicolored makeover, front and back.

... a campus landmark gets a multicolored makeover, front and back.

Kailan K. Marshall, vice president of PC Alliance and a Student Government Association senator-at-large for diversity, equity and inclusion, addresses attendees at the flag-raising.

Kailan K. Marshall, vice president of PC Alliance and a Student Government Association senator-at-large for diversity, equity and inclusion, addresses attendees at the flag-raising. "Pride in yourself doesn’t have to stop at the end of this week," the human services major said. "I know that it’s a daunting and scary world we live in, but you are uniquely you, and no one can change that."

Marshall (center) is joined at the flag-raising by Elliott Strickland (left), vice president for student affairs, and Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and student engagement.

Marshall (center) is joined at the flag-raising by Elliott Strickland (left), vice president for student affairs, and Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and student engagement.

Signage in the CC hallway reminds passersby of the week's commemoration.

Signage in the CC hallway reminds passersby of the week's commemoration.

Davis works the auction floor, welcoming bidders to the four-hour sale.

Davis works the auction floor, welcoming bidders to the four-hour sale.

Creations from local artisans were up for bid, with all proceeds benefiting AIDS Resource.

Creations from local artisans were up for bid, with all proceeds benefiting AIDS Resource.

A familiar face lends its likeness for a neighborhood nonprofit.

A familiar face lends its likeness for a neighborhood nonprofit.

Bidding under the watchful eyes of rock icon Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist for Queen, is dental hygiene major Paige O. Hunter, of Tyrone.

Bidding under the watchful eyes of rock icon Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist for Queen, is dental hygiene major Paige O. Hunter, of Tyrone.

A

A "Pride Table," topped by resourceful information and other giveaways, stands at the edge of the CC lobby.

Strickland emphasizes the institutional importance of Pride Week, as it reinforces strength in diversity and the value of all people.

Strickland emphasizes the institutional importance of Pride Week, as it reinforces strength in diversity and the value of all people.