The Pioneer Frontier Magazine

Students Serve on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Written by Isiah Lyman & Abby Wolfenbarger

On January 18, 2010 Tusculum College held its first volunteer service day in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  From 2005 until 2007, students were required to attend classes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, during which the college hosted symposiums to commemorate the influence of King.  However, this year the college has transformed it’s use of this holiday into an opportunity for students to participate in a day of service to the community.

Tusculum students responded to a request for volunteers from the Center for Civic Advancement and the Tusculum College Office of Multicultural Affairs.  These student volunteers spent the day helping children from the Greeneville Boys and Girls Club make art crafts for patients at the Niswonger Children’s Hospital.  When asked about the 13 student volunteers, Bonnie Taylor, the Coordinator for Student Life and Multicultural Affairs told the Frontier, “as students you may think of it as a low turn-out, but I was pleasantly surprised from the staff perspective. I really appreciate those students that came out. The children of the Boys and Girls club had a great time and are already talking about participating in something similar next year.” 

The participants from the Greeneville Boys and Girls Club, with assistance from Tusculum students, made tray-toppers and pet rocks, which they later distributed along with coloring books to the Children’s Hospital on January 25.  According to Taylor, “Tusculum hopes to continue having service days to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the upcoming years.” Freshman service volunteer, Vinton Copeland, reiterated the importance of a statement made by the CCA Director Joyce Doughty that “Martin Luther King Junior Day is not a day off but a day on.” 

Service is an important part of celebrating the remembrance of such an influential person as Dr. King.  He devoted his life to help others through his position as the spokesperson for nonviolent activism within the Civil Rights Movement.  Although helping children make ornamental crafts may seem like a small feat, it provided eager Tusculum students with a viable outlet to serve others and promote service within the community.

“As volunteers we showed the Boy’s and Girls Club children that there are other people out there they can provide assistance through ‘seemingly small’ service,” Sophomore Stacey Belletete told the Frontier.

Tusculum students were able to make a positive impact on the community, celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and enjoy themselves by teaching children of the Boys and Girls Club how something as small as a craft can have an enormous impact on someone. Participating Tusculum faculty and students alike hope that this year’s service day will encourage students to devote their efforts into volunteer work, especially on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.