Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy: Converse’s MLK Day of Service
Written by Amanda Mathis
As the nation marked what would have been the 94th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Converse University students continued the tradition of volunteering in and outside the classroom as they joined together to celebrate the work of Dr. King Jr.
Annually, Americans come together on the national holiday in January to serve their neighbors and communities. This year, more than 135 Converse volunteers participated, including students, staff, and faculty, serving nine Spartanburg community sites while volunteering nearly 350 hours to honor the life of Dr. King.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Dr. King encouraged people to engage in positive action, such as volunteerism, to incite change and togetherness.
“Our students work diligently to make a tangible impact on our community.”
Reverend Eliza DeBevoise
“We hope to continue showing our Spartanburg community that Converse is a resource for nonprofits in need as Dr. King’s legacy is still relevant today,” said MLK Day of Service leader Reverend Eliza DeBevoise, who serves Converse as University Chaplain and Director of Community Engagement. “Our students work diligently to make a tangible impact on our community. Guided in part by Dr. King’s philosophy of servant leadership, our students volunteered hours in preparation, connecting with the nonprofits, and then executed by student leaders.”
This year, the day included a Unity breakfast, speaker, and off-campus work opportunities, allowing the community to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gather in fellowship, and serve our neighbors, all within the same day. “We are proud to do our part in furthering Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community in our city,” said Reverend DeBevoise.
“This MLK service day was my first at Converse University, and I was tasked with digging a trench so a church parking lot would not remain underwater,” said Remedios Naval, Elementary Education Major, Class of 2027. “I spent around two to three hours digging up dirt, rocks, and other items lost over the years and broke a shovel in the mix.”
“It was a great day because Converse University is always trying to find ways to involve students in campus activities, but this was different because we got to spend a day helping the community grow rather than just our campus and community. It also helps Converse put its name out in Spartanburg, letting everyone know that just because we are a small school, it does not mean we cannot significantly impact those around us,” he shared.
Service sites included HALTER, Period Project, Greer Relief, SPACE, Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful, First Steps, Habitat for Humanity, St. Luke’s Medical Clinic, Ruth’s Gleanings, and United Way of the Piedmont. From spending time outdoors to making much-needed repairs, each of the nine groups made a tangible impact on the Spartanburg community and honored Dr. King’s legacy of inciting change and togetherness.