John F. Kennedy University Hosts Memorial in JFK's Honor on 50th Anniversary of His Death
PLEASANT HILL, CA--(Marketwired - Nov 12, 2013) - John F. Kennedy University, the only University in the nation to bear the President's name, will hold a memorial program in his honor on November 22, 2013, the 50th anniversary of his death. The program will be held in the University's main lobby at 100 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, from 10 - 11 am Pacific Time. A moment of silence at 10:30 am will mark the time of his assassination in Dallas, which took place at 12:30 am Central time.
The event, part of a month-long remembrance at the University, will include remarks by Congressman George Miller (invited), who was mentored by JFK's brother, the late Edward Kennedy. Other speakers include California Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (invited); Contra Costa County Supervisor Karen Mitchoff (invited); Pleasant Hill Mayor Michael Harris; Georgia Morrison, a founding member of the University; and University President Mac Powell. An a cappella performance of America the Beautiful and the unveiling of a bust of JFK will round out the memorial. The memorial is open to the public and a gift of a poster of the late President will be given to attendees.
The ideals of lifelong learning and community service are what inspired a small group of educators led by Georgia Morrison and her late husband, Harry, to start the University in December of 1964. Over the past fifty years, JFK University and its over 15,000 graduates have gone on to embrace JFK's memorable "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
The University's Community Counseling Centers, staffed by graduate psychology students, work to meet the need for mental health services in the Bay Area. The University's law students provide free legal services to individuals facing the loss of their home or seniors who are victims of financial abuse. And as a Yellow Ribbon School, the University provides post-9/11 soldiers and veterans a tuition-free education, covering the costs not paid for under their GI bill.
JFK University also annually honors local citizens for outstanding accomplishments in their field and community service with the Kennedy Laureate Awards. This year's awards dinner held on November 2, 2013 raised $270,000 for scholarships for veterans and low-income students.
To further reinforce its commitment to inspire its students to partake in community service, the University also will announce at the event its service learning project in which, by Fall 2014, all University students will be required to complete a 30-hour community service project prior to graduation.
About John F. Kennedy University
Founded in 1964, John F. Kennedy University, a non-profit affiliate of the National University System, was among the first institutions of higher education in California committed to lifelong learning for adults. Today, the University's three Colleges and Continuing Education division provide innovative higher education opportunities to more than 2,000 professionals who, despite a full range of life responsibilities, are determined to advance their education and improve their future. The Continuing Education division provides professional development education to more than 2,500 individuals per year. A pioneer of education that integrates theory and practice, John F. Kennedy University and its students touch the lives of more than 30,000 people in Bay Area communities every year through their support of outreach centers and public programs. For more information, visit www.jfku.edu.
About the National University System
National University System was established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The System is uniquely aligned to connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects competing life priorities. The affiliates of the System are: National University; John F. Kennedy University; City University of Seattle; National University International; the Division of Pre-College Programs, which includes National University Virtual High School and National University Academy; Spectrum Pacific Learning; and WestMed College. Entities related to the System include: the National University System Institute for Policy Research; the Center for Integrative Health; National University Golf Academy; and the Center for Performance Psychology. For more information, visit www.nusystem.org.
