�㽶�� celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with service, gratitude, and conversation to honor the life and work of the civil rights leader and the values he embodied. 

Annual Service Day reflects �㽶��’s motto 

The college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” was exemplified by students, faculty, and community members alike during its 12th annual MLK Jr. Service Day. Highlights of the day’s service were shared by Student Volunteer Services (SVS) co-directors Abby Donaldson and Becca King at the Martin Luther King Jr. convocation in Edmunds Hall on Monday evening. 

“King himself was a servant leader who coordinated much of the civil rights movement in the South,” King said, acknowledging King’s legacy of faithful service. “His example is still an inspiration to many people, and his legacy of service will continue through �㽶��’s MLK Service Day for years to come.” 

This year’s service projects included assisting in a painting class at , cleanups for several churches, volunteering at the , and assisting at . Other efforts included helping out at the EcoHub on campus, creating Valentine’s Day cards for the elderly, making goody bags for ’s teaching parents, and playing BINGO with the residents at Clinton Presbyterian Community. 

On the year of its 60th anniversary, SVS’s annual MLK Service Day drew a crowd of around 250 volunteers, further representing the community’s dedication to honoring King’s legacy through giving back to the community. 

Keynote address highlights the importance of community 

The celebration continued into Monday evening, with a keynote address delivered by James Bennett, the executive director of . 

Bennett delivered an invigorating speech following the theme “Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way.” 

Bennett began by drawing comparisons between the theme of this year and last year’s address, “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365,” pointing out that the reason for a sequel is typically because there’s more to the story. 

This year’s story began with building community, something that cannot be done without a shared vision. Bennett referenced a book he’d recently read, “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” which broke down the commander’s intent, purpose, and how it is used to drive all components of the Navy to achieve the commander’s vision, likening this concept to Dr. King’s vision during the civil rights movement. 

“This is Dr. King’s holiday, so in a manner of speaking, Dr. King is our commander. In his famous ‘I have a Dream’ speech, he said he had a dream that his poor little children would one day live in a nation where they would not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character,” he said, quoting King and acknowledging these same ideas referenced in the Declaration of Independence. “It is our shared vision that we are all endowed with inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Bennett said the next step in building a unified community is to ensure it’s built with values that are congruent with the non-violent movement; values that Dr. King himself abided by: trust, humility, courage, and love, the attribute that binds it all together. 

He spoke of the relationship between love and non-violence, and the importance of not resorting to violence, even when it may seem like the only effective option. 

“Violence increases pain. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” he said. “Love acts as a weapon to disarm hatred and prevents and resists the cunning attack.” 

Bennett wrapped up his address by posing a question: how can we be unified as a nation when it seems like everything we see on TV and social media highlights our differences? 

Referencing figures like Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and Rosa Parks, who paved the way for so many others, he highlighted the importance of “being the one.”

“Be the one who is courageous. Be the one who exudes humility. Be the one who is trustworthy. Be the one who loves your neighbor as you love yourself. Be the one who would be the catalyst to spark a new movement. Be the one who is not afraid to stand alone for doing the right thing,” Benett said. 

A day of remembrance, service, and reflection 

�㽶��’s celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day represented the impact of his legacy and work. From the personal reflections brought on by Bennett’s address to the opportunity to serve the community directly, Monday’s events showcased how �㽶�� draws inspiration from King daily while embodying the values he held dear to his heart. 

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Before setting foot in their first college classroom, members of �㽶��’s Class of 2029 rolled up their sleeves, donned hairnets, and packaged thousands of meals for families in need around the world.

On Aug. 24, incoming �㽶�� students joined members of First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for a Rise Against Hungermeal-packaging event, continuing a tradition during new-student orientation that introduces students to �㽶��’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.” The project was sponsored by Student Volunteer Services (SVS), the student-led service organization at the college.

For �㽶��’s students, the event provided an opportunity to start their college careers by contributing to that global mission while also building community with one another.

The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at �㽶��, said the event set an important tone for new students.

“For some of the students, service is something they came to �㽶�� for and expected, and for others it may not have been on their radar at all,” Hyrams said. “It gets everybody on the same page starting out – that this is what we do. I love that about it. It also gets them out of their comfort zones, because they’re in hairnets at a table with people they don’t know. It’s really a jump start to their semester, whether they realize it or not.”

Student Volunteer Services Leads the Effort

Senior Lyle Jones of Chapin, S.C., co-director of Student Volunteer Services, welcomed the Class of 2029 to the project.

“SVS is a student-led service organization that focuses not just on community service at �㽶��, but also on extending into the community in general,” Jones said. “We’re super excited about this event. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for hosting us, to the �㽶�� wrestling team for setting up the event space, and to Rise Against Hunger for giving us this opportunity to serve so many people.”

For Jones, the event marked a significant milestone – from his own first-year experience to his involvement as an organizer.

“It’s been great to be able to grow from that freshman who showed up to help to becoming a leader in SVS who helped organize this particular event,” he said. 

First Lessons in Service

For many freshmen, the event was their first formal introduction to service at �㽶�� – and for some, their first volunteer project ever.

Haiden Kirkland, a freshman from York, S.C., said the experience made him eager to keep giving back.

“Since I’ve arrived here, everybody’s been very helpful,” Kirkland said. “So, I feel like the longer I’m going to be here, the more I want to do the same thing.”

Sophia Vitelli, a freshman from Cape May, N.J., said �㽶��’s emphasis on service was part of what attracted her to the college.

“It’s really great just knowing we’re putting stuff back in the community,” she said. “The way �㽶�� is very involved in the community was something that made me say, ‘This is great.’”

Jariah Tomlin, a freshman from Sumter, S.C., said he viewed his participation as a spiritual calling.

“I feel like it’s an honor from God to be here, to be the person to put bags together and feed the less fortunate,” Tomlin said. “It’s always a blessing to be able to do that because you never know what somebody else is going through. For me to be able to be out here walking and have my hands to do God’s work on this earth is a blessing within itself.”

Jenna Anderson, a freshman from Moseley, Va., admitted that service wasn’t on her mind when she chose �㽶��. But after the event, she said she wants to make it part of her college experience.

“It’s fun. I like giving back to the community, so it’s my first time doing this, and it’s a nice experience,” Anderson said. “Service didn’t play into my decision to come to �㽶�� at the time, but now that I’m introduced to it, I’d like to keep doing it.”

Building Bonds Before Classes Begin

The Rise Against Hunger event has become an integral part of orientation at �㽶��. It ensures that students begin their academic journey with a shared act of service – not only helping others but also forging bonds with peers and community members.

For students who arrived in Clinton just days earlier, it was an immediate introduction to the college’s values. For faculty, staff, and community partners, it was a reminder that �㽶��’s mission of service reaches well beyond campus borders.

By packaging meals together, new students were able to break the ice, meet classmates, and experience firsthand the meaning of the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

Reinforcing a Tradition of Service

As �㽶�� continues to integrate service into the fabric of student life, events like this one serve as a reminder that community engagement is not an extracurricular activity but a central part of the college’s identity. Hyrams summed it up best.

“They’re learning on day one what it means to live out our mission – to serve others, to value community, and to make a difference in the world,” she said.

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