November 28, 2011
For Immediate Release

HIV/AIDS Quilt, speakers to highlight World AIDS Day events at Hastings College

NOTE:  This release replaces the original release from November 21, 2011, which incorrectly identifies Kevin Wright’s hometown.  He is from Mansfield, Pa.

Note to media: For additional information, contact Alicia O’Donnell at aodonnell@hastings.edu or (402) 461-7784.

(Hastings, Neb.) – Two panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display as the Hastings College campus commemorates World AIDS Day on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011.  One panel will be displayed at Perkins Library (705 E. 7th St.) during its regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 29-Friday, Dec. 2.  The second panel will first be displayed at Hazelrigg Student Union (705 E. 9th St.) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and Wednesday, Nov. 30 and then at the Morrison-Reeves Science Center (717 Ash) on Thursday, Dec. 1 and Friday, Dec. 2.  

Viewing of the quilt panels and all other World AIDS Day activities are free and open to the public.

Other events that day will include a lecture by Kevin Wright, a Hastings College senior from Mansfield, Pa., who served as an intern at the San Francisco Public Health Department’s HIV Vaccine Research Section, at noon on Thursday, Dec. 1 in Hazelrigg Student Union Rooms A and B (705 E. 9th Street).  Free taco soup will be available to attendees as long as supplies last.  

Throughout that afternoon and evening, Hastings Family Planning will conduct free HIV antibody tests and give away free t-shirts to all who sign up for testing.  Finally, members of the Peer HIV Educators Organization (PHIVE-O) will lead a vigil at 7 p.m. in French Memorial Chapel (800 N. Turner Ave.).  

In preparation for the activities, the weekly HC chapel service on Wednesday, Nov. 30 will focus on World AIDS Day.  The Rev. Portia Cavitt will speak at the 10 a.m. service.  

Rev. Portia Cavitt is the Senior Pastor of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb.  She received her M.Div. degree from Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Ga., and was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  She has been the pastor of churches in Missouri, California, Washington, and Kansas before coming to Nebraska in 2004. Rev. Cavitt has served as a foster mother, a substitute teacher, a volunteer chaplain, a certified HIV/AIDS instructor with the American Red Cross and a Nebraska AIDS Project volunteer. Currently, she is a youth mentor and supervises juveniles for community service, a stroke ambassador with the American Heart Association, a member of the HIV/AIDS Community Planning Group and a strong advocate for children, education, justice and community involvement as she works with various committees and community organizations within the city.  Recently, she served as the faith community representative for the Nebraska HIV Care and Prevention Consortium until last year.

Also on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 30, PHIVE-O and other HC students will tie red ribbons around campus as a reminder of the world-wide commemoration.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.