EGSC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration to be held

East Georgia State College (EGSC) will host a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Thursday, January 18. The event is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Luck F. Gambrell Building on the Swainsboro campus of EGSC. After the ceremony, a candlelight vigil will be held outside the Gambrell Building. During the ceremony, the MLK Choir and Sounds of Gabriel will perform. Asia Jennings, an alumnus of EGSC, will also perform during the event. Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar will be the guest speaker.

Asia Jennings is an aspiring actress, spoken word artist, and writer based in Georgia. Her love for the arts started in 2013 during her sophomore year in high school as an escape from the bullying that she endured from some of her peers. The Augusta Mini Theatre alongside, The Richmond Academy Players, helped shape her into the emerging artist that she is. She attended East Georgia State College after high school to major in political science and communication arts where she gained a newfound love of spoken word poetry to express herself artistically during open mic nights. She uses both spoken word and acting is an outlet for her to raise awareness for social issues that are dear to her.

Mayor Jonathan McCollar is a native of Statesboro, Georgia. He was educated in the public school system of Bulloch County where he graduated in the class of 1992 from Statesboro High School. He went on to attend Georgia Southern University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with an emphasizes in American history. He attended the Jack Averitt School of Graduate Studies where he earned a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in governmental and non-profit organizations. Jonathan is a devoted husband to the exceptional Adrianne McCollar and is an adoring father of five. Mayor McCollar recognized early on in his life a desire for public service and being a voice for the voiceless. This passion, being spurred by his Christian beliefs, has led him to become an active tool for the advocating of social equality, economic development, and political activism. Along with this path he has worn the hats of educator, business owner, community organizer, advocate, volunteer, mentor, and now mayor. In these capacities, he has received numerous awards and recognition for volunteerism, leadership, and dedication. Mayor McCollar’s entire career has been focused on public service. He has had the opportunity to work with such stellar organizations as Educational Services of America, Goodwill Industries International, and The American Cancer Society and now Georgia Southern University. In each of these capacities, he was recognized for his ability to be an effective leader.

EGSC invites the community to the MLK Day Celebration event Thursday, January 18, at 7 p.m. in the Gambrell Building Auditorium.