On Monday, Jan. 19, the Shenandoah University community will join individuals across America in the nationwide effort that is the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
“In keeping with the national holiday, we will celebrate this as a day ON, not a day off,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Adrienne Bloss, Ph.D. “I am proud that on MLK Day, the Shenandoah University community will be able to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and take part in the national call to service.”
While the university will be open that day, classes are cancelled so that faculty and students may engage in some form of community service activity in recognition of the day. University offices are encouraged to provide flexibility for staff to participate in such activities as well.
The university’s Center for Public Service and Scholarship will serve as a conduit to connect students, faculty and staff with organizations in the local community in order to complete their service projects.
A number of campus events, organized through Spiritual Life, will also be held on Jan. 19.
At 11 a.m., The Rev. Gil Caldwell, an African-American clergyman who is a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement and who was a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will share the short documentary “From Selma to Stonewall,” in the Brandt Student Center, Room 123 (Borden Student Associations Center). A conversation will follow the screening. The screening and conversation are free and open to the public. Caldwell participated in the March on Washington in 1963, the Mississippi Freedom Summer in 1964, and the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the university community will participate in a Stop Hunger Now event in Shingleton Gymnasium, as 20,000 meals will be organized and packaged for people in need in the United States and abroad.
At 4:30 p.m., students, faculty and staff will gather in the Brandt Student Center rotunda for a time of sharing about the day of service and a candlelight memorial walk to Armstrong Concert Hall for a 5 p.m. worship service in honor of Dr. King. Caldwell will serve as guest speaker during the service. The service is free and open to the public, and will stream live here.
Shenandoah’s participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service replaces the university’s Partnership With Community Day, which has been held annually since 2011.