AIDS Memorial Quilt to visit campus

The planned exhibit dates are Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 1995, according to Lincoln Johnson, Colvard Union director and chair of the campus committee coordinating the event.

"The mission of the NAMES Project is to illustrate the enormity of the AIDS epidemic by showing the human side of the statistics," Johnson said.

The display will feature more than 300 three-foot by six-foot panels, each commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS. These represent a portion of the entire AIDS Memorial Quilt, which contains more than 26,000 panels. Each panel is made by someone who knew the person who died.

"Among the goals of displaying the AIDS Memorial Quilt on campus are educating the university community about HIV/AIDS, raising awareness of AIDS/HIV among students, faculty, staff and the Starkville community, and increasing community sensitivity and concern towards people living with AIDS," Johnson said.

The Quilt includes panels from all 50 U.S. states and from 29 foreign countries. The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Since 1987, more than five million people have visited the Quilt.

"A number of people are serving on our steering committee to put this event together," said Johnson. "All will be seeking volunteers from campus who wish to be a part of activities surrounding the display," Johnson said. Among planned activities are an essay contest, a film fest, health education displays and seminars, lectures focusing on the AIDS virus, and a collection of non- perishable food items for the North Mississippi Food Bank.

Steering committee members include Johnson, chair; Merrily Dunn, counselor education, ceremonies coordinator; Bill Broyles, Student Health Center, finance coordinator; Elizabeth Hawkins, Office of Research, merchandise coordinator; Eddie Keith, Student Life, fundraising coordinator; Bruce Vandevender, Colvard Union, logistics coordinator; Shay McDonnall, Housing and Residence Life, publicity coordinator; Maridith Geuder, University Relations, media coordinator;

Cathy Goree, Center for Alcohol and Drug Education, education coordinator; Karen Pittman, Student Health Center, education co-coordinator; Laura Walling, Recreational Sports, panel making coordinator; and Jim Mitchell, Housing and Residence Life, volunteer coordinator.

For more information about the AIDS Memorial Quilt Display, contact Lincoln Johnson at 325-2513.