The Fourth Annual Dr. Ione D. Vargus Lecture Series

Join us for the fourth annual Dr. Ione D. Vargus Lecture Series event. This year’s program features the Honorable State Senator Vincent Hughes and will be moderated by Bill Vargus of the Family Reunion Institute

The Family Reunion Institute was established by Dr. Ione D. Vargus, Dean Emerita at Temple University’s former School of Social Administration. It is the only organization of its kind in the United States with the sole mission to strengthen and preserve the extended family and support family reunion planning.   

About the speaker:

Senator Vincent J. Hughes is a leading progressive voice on local, state, and national issues. He was elected by his colleagues in 2010 to be the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Senate for over 20 years, first elected to represent the 7th Senatorial District in 1994. Senator Hughes served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 to 1994. During that time, he was the chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus from 1991 to 1994.  

As a key member of the Democratic leadership team in the Senate, Senator Hughes has been a champion on major policy issues such as expanding healthcare for low-income workers, raising the minimum wage, defending the right to vote, fighting for increased funding for public education, and rebuilding PA’s distressed communities. As Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Hughes also plays a major role in developing Pennsylvania’s annual budget of over $30 billion and guiding the state’s spending priorities.  

The Ione Vargus Lecture Series is made possible through the support of the Dr. Ione D. Vargus Program Fund. This program is also presented in partnership with the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African-Americana and the African Diaspora at Penn State Special Collections Library. 

Our programs are geared toward a general audience and are open to all, including Temple students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, and friends. Registration is encouraged.