ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – For the past 20 years, Winthrop University has embraced the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. with a Day of Service.
This year’s Day of Service is on Monday, Jan. 20. There are no classes and offices are closed on the federal holiday.
Since 2000, the university has reserved MLK Day as a day of celebration, remembrance and service with a campus-wide event sponsored by various departments and organizations.
“Without a doubt, the university's values of service, excellence, diversity, community and leadership are fostered and developed through this initiative,” said Laura Foster, program director for volunteer and community service with the Center for Career Development and Internships. “Every year we have a great turnout of students, faculty and staff for the MLK Day service projects.”
Within the last three years, an average of 260+ students from Winthrop, Clinton College and York Technical College have participated and contributed more than 500 service hours annually to various community partners.
This year’s Day of Service will kick off at 10 a.m. in Richardson Ballroom in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. The guest speaker will be Lester Agyei McCorn, president of Clinton College.
Winthrop President Dan Mahony will join students in working with 12 community agencies as they engage in 31 different projects. The focus and goals of the projects are varied, Foster said.
“They cover the spectrum: from training for disasters, to engaging children and the elderly in activities, to environmental education and more. A plethora of experiences are to be had by everyone,” Foster said. “My hope is that students will take what they experience, reflect on it and use the knowledge they gain, and to continue to serve in some capacity in the future.”
The event will conclude with lunch around 1 p.m.
To follow the activities on social media, search #WUMLK20.
The community service event is coordinated by Winthrop’s MLK Committee, which includes members from the Center for Career Development and Internships, Student Activities, Residence Life, the Office of Diversity & Student Engagement, faculty and staff.
Evening activities on Jan. 20 include an Alpha Phi Alpha MLK Vigil at 7 p.m. in Dina’s Place in the DiGiorgio Campus Center.
Assistant Professor Sherell Fuller of the Richard W. Riley College of Education is the emcee. The keynote speaker will be Ricardo Herriott, a recent graduate of Allen University, where he served as student body president. The Vision of Prayze Gospel choir will provide entertainment.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or e-mail her at longshawj@winthrop.edu.
RELATED LINKS:
*Winthrop's Martin Luther King Day of Service
*Last year's Day of Service celebration
