Globally influential speaker and long-time civil rights leader, Dr. Gerald Durley of Atlanta, Georgia, will stir the campus of Wichita State University at three separate events, Thursday, March 5.

• Register online. Admission is free.
• Download promotional materials.
• Open the event page on Facebook where you can "join" and invite your friends.

Three chances to hear Dr. Durley at Wichita State:

• Shocker Hall (Peace Pole Ceremony) at noon
• CAC Theater (Lecture) at 2 p.m.
• Marcus Welcome Center (Lecture & Roundtable) at 6 p.m.

Durley’s message, “Climate Change Is A Civil Rights Issue,” has people turning their heads, as many have not made the connection between the two globally systemic concerns.

“When your children suffer from asthma and cannot go outside to play, as is the case for many in Atlanta, it is a civil rights issue. When unprecedented weather disasters devastate the poorest neighborhoods in places like New Orleans, New Jersey, and New York, it is a civil rights issue,” said Durley. “When farmers in faraway lands cannot feed their families because the rains will no longer come, it is a civil rights issue,” he said.

Durley has spent the greater part of his retirement promoting a problem he believes can be solved. “I do not doubt that we will succeed in addressing climate change. After all, we have only scratched the surface when it comes to solutions such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and preparedness. But our success rests on the willingness of all of us – all races, creeds, and walks of life – coming together with a single purpose,” said Durley.

One-hundred-year-old organization Kansas Christians United has partnered with Campus Ministry CONNECT at WSU to bring Dr. Durley to Wichita State. Other sponsors for the day of events include: Student Government Association, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Involvement, Student and Faculty Green Groups, WSU Sculpture Guild, Center for Community Support and Research, Global Faith In Action, and the Greater Wichita Ministerial League.

Durley will take part in an inauguration ceremony for the “Peace Pole Project,” the first ever permanent student constructed art piece to be installed on the WSU campus. The ceremony and reception will be held at Shocker Hall starting at noon. He will move from Shocker Hall to a 2 p.m. lecture at the CAC Theater, and will end the day at an evening round-table event at the Marcus Welcome Center starting at 6 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. The evening roundtable event has a theme of Christian and faith-based action and requires online registration.

Dr. Durley will sign and sell copies of his book “I’m Amazed” at all three events at WSU. Similar programming is scheduled for the University of Kansas the following day, March 6, 2015.