TSU, Sister Institutions to Hold Joint MLK Day of Service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – More than 350 student volunteers from area colleges and universities will join forces at Tennessee State University Saturday, Jan. 18 for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students from TSU, Belmont, Fisk, Trevecca Nazarene and Vanderbilt Universities will demonstrate their commitment of giving back to the community during the National Day of Service by engaging in various projects around Nashville. Dr. Linda Guthrie, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, said this is an opportunity for students to give back and to engage with the local community. “At Tennessee State University, service to our local community is both a central part of the University’s mission and academic curriculum,” said Guthrie. “In my short time here leading the Center, it’s been incredible to help develop a service-learning program that’s focused on making a positive difference for our local community. Our students truly have the opportunity to not only serve, but to create and lead projects that both change their lives and the lives of others in remarkable ways.” According to planners, the day’s activities begin at 11 a.m. with sign-in, registration and kick-off rally at Kean Hall. Activities begin with greetings from Dr. Mark Hardy, vice president of Academic Affairs at TSU, along with U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper. Following lunch, students will fan out across Nashville to help paint McKissack Middle School, paint a mural at Hadley Park Community Center and assist in the library, and help alleviate hunger in Middle Tennessee by sorting food at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Volunteers will return to the TSU campus at 4 p.m. for reflection and celebration. “In the spirit of collaboration with our sister institutions, we want our volunteers to finish their day of service with a sense of awareness that transforms the way they see the world and together create change,” added Guthrie. “It is our goal to ensure that the volunteers and the people we serve on this Day of Service grow as one and learn from each other through the formation of friendships and understanding.” For more information, visit http://www.belmont.edu/sl/mlk-day/index.html or call 615.963.5383.         Department of Media Relations Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331     About Tennessee State University With nearly 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville's only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 undergraduate, 22 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.