THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University will mark Ventura County’s World AIDS Day 2010 on Dec. 1 and 2 with a candlelight vigil, panel discussion and other events.

The commemoration will begin with “Portrayals of a Pandemic: Screening of HIV/AIDS Films” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the Student Union Building on the Thousand Oaks campus. The movies focus on different aspects of the U.S. and global HIV/AIDS crisis.

The keynote event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, in rooms 101 and 102 of the Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. John Prichard, medical director of the Immunology Clinic at the Ventura County Medical Center, will discuss prevention and care with a focus on access to HIV and AIDS services in Ventura County. County residents living with HIV/AIDS will then share their experiences and answer questions during “Positively Speaking – Local Voices of HIV/AIDS.”

As a service-learning project, students in CLU’s “Sexuality and Society” class will present “Stereotypes, Myths and Stigma” from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Dec. 2 in Swenson 101 and 102. The students designed the interactive performance based on training in reality improvisation and social change theatre techniques they received from Straight Up Ventura County.

The Dec. 2 activities will conclude with “Keeping the Faith: Candlelight Vigil” at 5:30 p.m. on the Swenson Center patio. Featured poet Jackson Wheeler of Oxnard, student poets Matt Soto of Oxnard and Stephanie Saindon of Cypress, and musicians will perform.

Participants are invited to bring non-perishable food items for AIDS Project Ventura County’s Necessities of Life Food Pantry to the Dec. 2 events.

The Student Union Building is located on the north side of Memorial Parkway between Pioneer and Regent avenues. The Swenson Center is located on the north side of Faculty Street between Regent and Pioneer.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice and Wellness Initiatives are sponsoring the free events. For more information, please contact Amanda Whealon at (805) 493-3950 or awhealo@callutheran.edu.