On Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, the Shenandoah University community will join individuals across America in the nationwide effort that is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The university’s day-long event, “Spaces to Dream: A Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service,” is sponsored by the Division of Student Life, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Center for Public Service and Scholarship (CPSS).
Classes do not meet that day, but administrative offices are open and student groups and organizations throughout the Shenandoah University community are encouraged to honor Dr. King’s legacy by devoting their time and talents to a project on campus or in the Winchester-Frederick County community.
Shenandoah University students are encouraged to join the Office of Academic Affairs between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day academic advising. For details on each area’s advising schedule for the morning of Jan. 16, contact Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of General Education Amy Sarch at asarch@su.edu. Information will also be sent directly to students via the Your Student Life newsletter on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017.
Throughout the day on Jan. 16, a variety of service projects will occur at Shenandoah University and throughout the Winchester-Frederick County community in which students, faculty and staff can participate. These opportunities are included but not limited to:
Service Project: Packaging & Distribution | 9 a.m. to noon
Our Health Building 329 N. Cameron Street
Packaging and distributing donated items and materials to families in the North End of Winchester, from 9 a.m. to noon, with CPSS. Sign up online.
Spaces to Dream | 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Spaces to Dream stations across campus
Write your dreams and hopes for yourself, your community, your nation or your world at Spaces to Dream stations across the Shenandoah University campus. Sponsored by Intercultural Programs.
Spaces to Dream stations will be located in the:
- Brandt Student Center Lobby | 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall Lobby | 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Allen Dining Hall | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Clement Board Room (upper dining hall) | After 6:30 p.m.
“What Was It Like? Could It Happen Here?” | Opens at 1 p.m.
Davis Hall, second floor
The exhibit “What Was It Like? Could It Happen Here?” opens at 1 p.m. in Davis Hall, second floor (on the university’s main campus), and is free and open to the public. This exhibit depicts African American life in Winchester in the 1940s and dramatic events that focus attention on the dilemmas and tragedies of segregation in the Winchester community.
The exhibit was originally developed by Shenandoah University history students & faculty and members of the Winchester community, in conjunction with the Shenandoah University Theatre Department’s 2013 production of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Events depicted in the exhibit actually took place in Winchester and eerily parallel the plot of the play; these events involved their own cast of characters, many of whom went on to lead the Civil Rights Movement in which Martin Luther King Jr. played so prominent a role.
Service Project: “Stop Hunger Now” Food Packaging | 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Shingleton Gymnasium
Prepare 15,000 meals for those in who are experiencing hunger in America and around the world, beginning at 2 p.m., with the Office of Spiritual Life in Shingleton Gymnasium.
Spaces to Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Discussion | 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m.
Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall
Spaces to Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Discussion begins at 3:30 p.m. and is hosted by the Black Student Union. The discussion is led by President of the Winchester chapter of the NAACP Gwen Walker, Education Chair for the Winchester chapter of the NAACP Tyson Gilpin, and Shenandoah University Assistant Professor of Management Montressa Washington, Ph.D. The discussion is followed by refreshments, provided by the Office of Academic Affairs. Free and open to the public.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service of Remembrance | 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Goodson Chapel-Recital Hall
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service of Remembrance begins at 5 p.m. and features a performance from the university’s Harambee Gospel Choir. Free and open to the public.
A Place at the Table: Traditions Dinner | 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Clement Board Room in Allen Dining Hall
*UPDATE*
The “A Place at the Table: Traditions Dinner” is postponed and will be rescheduled. Instead, enjoy dinner in Allen Dining Hall after the service. If you don’t have a meal plan, dinner will be provided courtesy of Intercultural Programs.
For more information about any of these Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events, contact studentlife@su.edu.
