Black History Month Convocation to take place at Lewis University

Lewis University will host a Black History Month Convocation at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the Sancta Alberta Chapel located on the University’s main campus in Romeoville. The national theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Civil War.” Dr. Sonya L. Whitaker, Superintendent for Fairmont School District 89 in Lockport, will be the keynote speaker. She will address the contributions of Black slaves including their fight for freedom, equality and justice and how that struggle still continues, especially in education and economically.

In her role, Whitaker serves as the Chief Executive Officer responsible for increasing the academic achievement levels of the students, making policy recommendations to the Board of Education, and appropriately allocating financial, technological and human resources to achieve the goal of “Ensuring High Levels of Learning for All.” She oversees and facilitates all aspects of the business office including the ongoing management of a multi-million dollar budget.

Also active at the state level, Whitaker has served as an appointed member of the Ensuring Success in Schools and Special Education Illinois State Level Task Forces. Committed to expanding her knowledge-base as a practitioner and as a consumer of research, Whitaker has successfully obtained four college degrees in the field of education.

Prior to her appointment to the position of Superintendent, Whitaker was responsible for coordinating curriculum, instruction, assessment and implementing research-based professional development opportunities for literacy coaches, reading specialists, principals and classroom teachers. Her responsibilities also included monitoring, analyzing and interpreting state and district data for continuous improvement of student achievement in the area of literacy.

This event is sponsored by Lewis University’s Office of Multicultural Student Services. For additional information, please contact Carlos Serrato, Director of Multicultural Student Services, at (815) 836-5538.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.  Visit www.lewisu.edu <http://www.lewisu.edu> for further information.