It’s one of those clear, October days.
Blue skies. A wisp of clouds here and there.
A faint crispiness lingers in the morning air, as the last of the mountain mist that settles along campus in the mornings burns off–giving way to the warmth of the day.
It’s often been said that when people have a little skin in the game, they are more invested in what’s going on.
Such seemed to be the case with the semi-annual Day of Service on campus Oct. 5.
“It’s wonderful to be able to see faculty working alongside staff, working alongside students because it’s Not Self But Others at its best,” Interim President Mirta Martin said. “We become one Panther family.”
Officials compressed the class schedule to accommodate the four hours of service and culminated the work with a lunch in Franklin Hall.
“It’s cool seeing the college come together and give back,” said Josh Jordan, senior.
Martin agreed.
“They’re magical. They’re second to none,” Martin said of those out and about serving the campus. “They exemplify at its best, at its core, ‘Not Self But Others’. They’re genuine, and they’re thoughtful. They’re caring.”
Some of the projects tackled on the day included:
- Painting Curbs
- Removing Brush
- Moving Windows
- Moving Furniture
- Spreading Mulch
- Painting Ceilings
- Sanding/Painting Fences
- Sanding/Painting Handrails
Reaction across campus was positive.
“Things like Day of Service remind me of the reasons why I want to go to med school. I want to spend the rest of my life serving others and putting others first,” Thabelo Nemulodi, junior, said.
Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Elyse Kiploks praised the experience.
“Ferrum College’s Women’s basketball, just like our motto ‘Not Self but others’, love to help out with the community whenever we can,” she said.
Mason Anderson, sophomore, also enjoyed the day and its purpose.
“It was nice to make the college look clean,” Anderson said.
For her part, Martin summed up her feelings in one word:
“Pride,” she said.
