The Southside VA Chapter of the Virginia State University (VSU) Alumni Association is hosting its 13th annual Commemoration Luncheon to honor King Saturday, noon at Prince Edward County Middle School.

The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Van Petty, a longtime active citizen from Cumberland County.

Petty is retired from the Virginia Cooperative Extension, where he worked in Cumberland, Prince Edward and Regional Director of the East Central District Office in Appomattox.

Petty has also served with the Cumberland County Planning Commission, the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors and currently serving on the Cumberland County Public Schools Foundation Board, the Cumberland County Electoral Board and Associate Pastor of Tearwallet Baptist Church.

“He will speak about the proud legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as the transformative education, and personal development opportunities that exist for current and future college students, their parents, and others might gain by enrolling at VSU,” a release of the Saturday event cited.

See the Jan. 16 edition of The Herald for more events.