Diane Nash, civil rights pioneer, appears at Fairfield University's 2013 MLK, Jr. Convocation

3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013

Fairfield University's annual commemoration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. features a series of campus-wide events designed to invigorate and inspire. The 2013 MLK, Jr. Convocation, an integral part of the celebration, features Diane Nash, a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement, appearing in conversation with University students in an event moderated by Dr. Yohuru Williams, Associate Professor of African American History. The theme for the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance, "The time is always right to do what is right," is based on a quote by Dr. King, taken from a Commencement Address he gave at Oberlin College in 1965. This year's Convocation takes place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.

Diane Nash's involvement in the nonviolent movement began in 1959, while she was a student at Fisk University. In 1960, she became the chairperson of the student sit-in movement in Nashville, Tennessee, the first southern city to desegregate its lunch counters, as well as one of the founding students of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee. In 1961, she coordinated the Freedom Ride from Birmingham, Alabama, to Jackson, Mississippi, a story that was documented in the recent PBS American Experience film "Freedom Riders." Her many arrests for her civil rights activities culminated in Ms. Nash being imprisoned for 30 days in 1961, while she was pregnant with her first child. Undeterred, she went on to join a national committee, to which she was appointed by President John F. Kennedy, that promoted passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She later became active in the peace movement that worked to end the Vietnam War and became an instructor in the philosophy and strategy of non-violence as developed by Mohandas Gandhi.

This year's Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Awards, given to individuals who exemplify the virtues of Dr. King, are being presented to Sharon Pedrosa '13, Wylie Blake, Campus Minister for Service, and David Brown, a faculty member in Applied Ethics.

Other University events which are free and open to the public, include:

Friday, January 25. Poetry for Peace, 6 p.m. in the Regina A. Quick Center. Fifth annual Poetry for Peace Contest Winners' Celebration. Bridgeport and Fairfield school children from Kindergarten through 8th grade were encouraged to express their own concepts of peace through the creative act of writing.

Tuesday, January 29. Memorial March, 4:30 p.m. Walk starts at the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. In the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, the Memorial March will guide participants around campus to various physical locations where acts of hatred and/or demonstrations for justice have taken place throughout Fairfield's history - from the 1960s to present day. At each location, there will be a reflection on the event along with a song, poem or prayer. The March will end at the DiMenna-Nyselius Library where an exhibition, "The Body of Belief," featuring Religious clothing that has been banned throughout the world, will be on display. A reception will follow.

Thursday, January 31.?Convocation, 3 p.m., Quick Center for the Arts, featuring a conversation with Diane Nash and students moderated by Dr. Yohuru Williams.?

For more information, contact Fred J. Kuo?Director, Student Involvement,? fkuo@fairfield.edu, (203) 254-4000 ext. 3733; or Dr. Ellen Umansky,?Professor, Religious Studies, eumansky@fairfield.edu, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2065.

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 15, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 151

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Stage and screen superstar and author Julie Andrews appears at Fairfield University Bookstore signing with co-author and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton

3 p.m., Thursday, February 7, 2013

One of the most recognized and beloved figures in the world of entertainment, Julie Andrews, and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, will make a special appearance at the Fairfield University Bookstore in downtown Fairfield, CT, at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, autographing copies of their latest children's book, "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart" (Little Brown).

There will be a limited number of books available for signing. Beginning at 9 a.m., on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, the Fairfield University Bookstore will begin issuing tickets to the event to those purchasing "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart." One ticket per book will be issued. The Fairfield University Bookstore is located at 1499 Post Road, in Fairfield, CT. Store hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Call (203) 255-7756, or visit www.fairfieldbooks.bkstr.com.

With "The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart," Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton present another charming adventure in the #1 New York Times bestselling Very Fairy Princess series, which follows the adventures of Geraldine, a fairy princess. Gerry may not look like your average fairy princess because of her skinned knees and sneakers, but she is. In "The Very Fairy Princess Follow Her Heart," with illustrations by Christine Davenier, it's Valentine's Day, Gerry's favorite day of the year, and she must find the perfect Very Fairy Princess way to celebrate what makes each of her friends sparkle.

Julie Andrew's dedication to children has been steadfast throughout her career. She began writing books for young readers over thirty-five years ago, and her first two novels - "Mandy" and "The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles" - remain in print and in high demand. Her other books include the Little Bo series and a collection of picture books, novels and early readers co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Her memoir, "Home," was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In the world of entertainment, Julie Andrews is an international star, best known for her performances in "The Sound of Music," "Mary Poppins," and "The Princess Diaries." Her legendary career encompasses the Broadway and London stages, blockbuster Hollywood films, award-winning television shows, multiple album releases and concert tours, and, of course, her bestselling children's books. In 2000, she was honored with the title of Dame Julie Andrews by Queen Elizabeth II for lifetime achievements in the arts and humanities. Her many other honors include being named "One of the 100 Greatest Britons" by the British Broadcasting Corporation, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' UNIFEM program, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, ambassadorships for literacy programs for the American Library Association, and a prestigious Kennedy Center honor.

Emma Walton Hamilton is an author, editor, and arts educator. She and her mother have coauthored many books for young readers, including the Very Fairy Princess series, the Dumpy the Dump Truck series (illustrated by her father, Tony Walton), "The Great American Mousical," "Thanks to You: Wisdom from Mother to Child" (another #1 New York Times bestseller), and "Simeon's Gift," which was also adapted for the stage. Their first anthology, "Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies," was a New York Times bestseller, and the mother-daughter's audio recording went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. A second poetry collection, "Julie Andrews' Treasury for all Seasons: Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year," arrives in October 2013. An arts and literacy advocate, Ms. Hamilton also wrote "Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment," which won a Parent's Choice Gold Medal. She is one of the founders of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor and is currently a faculty member of Stony Brook Southhampton's MFA Program in Writing and Literature. She is also the Editorial Director of the Julie Andrews Collection, a publishing program dedicated to producing quality books for young readers that nurture the imagination and celebrate a sense of wonder.

For more information on The Very Fairy Princess series and the Julie Andrews Collection, visit www.theveryfairyprincess.com or www.julieandrewscollection.com.

The Fairfield University Bookstore, located at 1499 Post Road in the center of Fairfield, CT, serves not only the needs of the university community but also the greater Town of Fairfield and region and serves as a place for the university to offer its resources and educational programs to the entire community in a downtown setting. Operated by Follett, Inc., the Fairfield University Bookstore features titles from bestseller lists, University textbooks, magazines, technology peripherals and supplies, athletic wear and emblematic items of Fairfield University and regional high schools, clothing, novelty and gift items, and a wide choice of convenience and stationery items, gifts and accessories. A variety of merchandise, including textbooks, apparel, and other items can be purchased online at www.fairfield.edu/bookstore.

Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, (203) 254-4000 ext. 2647, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Posted on January 25, 2013

Vol. 45, No. 160

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