Western Carolina University

Several Western Carolina University departments and student organizations will sponsor the annual “Take Back the Night” March, part of a worldwide effort to help end violence, on Tuesday, April 10.

This year’s march, titled “Whee Take Back the Night,” will begin at 7 p.m. with a candlelight vigil on the A.K. Hinds University Center lawn. From there, participants will march across campus, stopping at various points to take part in activities that promote non-violence. At one stop, male marchers will create a banner titled “These Hands Are Not for Hurting” and give out white ribbons in honor of victims of violence. Following the march, there will be a cook-out with music on the University Center lawn.

“This year’s ‘Take Back the Night’ is about community. The students are committed to bringing about awareness and education to the campus community during the next two weeks,” said Sara Stoltenburg, director of the university’s Women’s Center. “Violence is not just a women’s issue—it is also a men’s issue, as reflected in some of the activities we have planned for the night. Our hope is that ‘Take Back the Night’ at WCU will encompass the entire campus, and we invite anyone and everyone out for this event.”

Sponsors of the event include the Student Government Association, Public Relations Student Society of America, Graduate Student Association, Campus Leaders Advocating Wellness, Criminal Justice Club, Women’s Center, Multicultural Affairs, D.I.V.A.s for Jesus, REACH of Jackson County and several fraternities, sororities and service organizations.

“The planning committee has been working diligently for the past three weeks to put on a fabulous and thoughtful event for our campus community,” said Caroline Pendry, student organizer of the event.

For more information, contact Sara Stoltenburg at (828) 227-7450.