Retired J.C. Penney executive Edward Howard to deliver keynote speech at Marshall’s Donning of Kente

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University alumnus Edward Howard, retired Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of J.C. Penney Company, Inc.’s West Region, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Donning of Kente Celebration of Achievement Thursday, April 29 at Marshall University.

The traditional and historical event, presented by Marshall’s Center for African American Students’ Programs, begins at 4 p.m. on Buskirk Field on MU’s Huntington campus. The celebration and cap-and-gown ceremony will commence with a processional that will include graduating students, university deans and Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp.

The ceremony takes place each spring for African and African American students who graduated from Marshall University during the winter and those slated for graduation in May or during the coming summer school term. The Kente cloth, which resembles a stole and is worn with the academic regalia, is a symbol of accomplishment that has its roots in a long tradition of weaving in West African countries. Marshall instituted the tradition of presenting Kente cloths to graduating African American students several years ago, and approximately 60 students are expected to participate Thursday along with university deans, faculty and staff.

Maurice Cooley, director of the Center for African American Students’ Programs, said the Donning of the Kente Celebration of Achievement is one of the most prestigious and culturally significant events in which Marshall’s African and African American students can participate. Having Howard as this year’s featured speaker, he said, highlights even more an already special ceremony.

“Since graduating from Marshall University in 1965, Mr. Howard has climbed the ladder of success in the corporate world,” Cooley said of the Beckley, W.Va., native. “It has been an incredible journey for this son of a coal miner, who started his professional career in 1965 as a trainee at J.C. Penney in Huntington and in 1990, became the first African-American to enter the company’s officer ranks when he was elected Vice President and Director of Investor Relations. I am certain Mr. Howard will deliver an inspirational message that our graduates will remember the rest of their lives.”

Howard currently lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is a member of the Marshall University Board of Governors and is former president of Marshall’s Society of Yeager Scholars Board of Directors. He received an honorary doctoral degree from Marshall in 2002 and is a member of the Elizabeth McDowell Lewis College of Business Hall of Fame. Howard also was a founding member and president of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Marshall.

The following woven cloths will be awarded during the Donning of Kente celebration: Owia Repue for associate degrees; Babadua for bachelor’s degrees; Kyemfere for master’s degrees; and Akyem Shield for post-master’s degrees.

African music will be provided by the Marshall University African Dance and Drum ensemble. A reception will follow on the Memorial Student Center plaza for all participants and those in attendance.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in the Don Morris Room in the Memorial Student Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 26, 2010 Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153

For further information, contact: Office of University Communications Marshall University | 213 Old Main | Huntington, WV 25755-1090 Fax: (304) 696-3197