Converse University Continuing Dr. King’s Legacy of Community
Written by Amanda Mathis
On an invigorating January morning, Converse University’s campus students, faculty, staff, and community members remembered the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as they filled the Barnet Room for Converse’s annual MLK Day celebration.
And, what a day to remember.
Our MLK celebration helped the Converse community inspire, connect, and energize through various events that day. The day opened with a unity breakfast, featuring speakers Shawna Bynum, Director of the Franklin School, a model child development center operated by Spartanburg County First Steps and located in the Northside of Spartanburg, and LaShaunna Thomas ’20, ’26, CFO and founder of BASIC Babies, a nonprofit organization in Wellford, SC, that provides a network of resources to families through collaboration with local businesses.
“Our fantastic speakers, Shaunna Thomas and Shawna Bynum, helped us reflect on the importance of collaboration and service as we grappled with our part in continuing Dr. King’s legacy of unity,” said event coordinator Rev. Eliza Smith DeBevoise, University Chaplain, Director of Community Engagement, and Lecturer of Religious Studies.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had faith in the power of people coming together to make change, and Converse demonstrated this belief by partnering with United Way of the Piedmont and volunteering at several service sites around Spartanburg County.
The volunteer opportunities provided a way to reflect on Dr. King’s work and the ongoing pursuit of equality, justice, and community. Students, faculty, staff, and community supporters were invited to participate in service projects alongside local organizations and on-campus efforts such as a campus-wide clean-up. These activities emphasized joint responsibility in continued engagement.
“Planning the MLK Day of Service each year is such a joy for me, as I get to see students, faculty, and staff step up to volunteer and give back to our wider Spartanburg community.”
Rev. Eliza Smith DeBevoise
“Music therapy students visited the Mountain View Nursing Home on Monday to participate in community performances,” explained Rev. DeBevoise. “And our on-campus volunteers created 200 hygiene kits for local shelters, wrote about 120 letters to veterans, and will supply approximately 120 backpacks to the children of P.S. I Love You. One group wrote 200 letters to homebound seniors!”
Converse’s MLK Day celebration could not have happened without the collaborative work of our Student Development and Success department and Dallas Witt, Director of Student Programming.
“This event is always such a team effort and is only possible with the help of our Student Life Team as well as our wonderful volunteers,” reflected Rev. DeBevoise “Planning the MLK Day of Service each year is such a joy for me, as I get to see students, faculty, and staff step up to volunteer and give back to our wider Spartanburg community.”