More than 240 students gathered Saturday to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Center for Leadership and Service’s 2018 MLK Day of Service.
Before making their way into the community to serve at 12 local organizations, students heard from Damon Rawls, principal strategist at DRC Business Consulting. Rawls is involved in various areas of the community, serving as a board member for the United Way of Greater Knoxville, Volunteer East Tennessee, and The Change Center.
Chancellor Beverly Davenport, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students Shea Houze, and SGA Vice President Michael Curtis Jr. also shared messages with participants.
Students served at the Ladies of Charity, the Center for Urban Agriculture at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, Random Acts of Flowers, YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley, Knoxville ReAnimation Coalition, The Children’s Center of Knoxville, Young-Williams Animal Center, Beaumont Magnet Academy Community School, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Zoo Knoxville, Beck Cultural Exchange Center, and the MLK Youth Symposium.
On Monday, Davenport walked with a group of about 40 students and staff in the city’s annual Martin Luther King Day parade through East Knoxville. The Student Government Association; athletes from volleyball, soccer, baseball, football, rowing, tennis, and track and field; and members of the senior staff marched from Chilhowee Park to Overcoming Believers Church just east of downtown. Other faculty and students, including the Lady Vols softball team, marched with other groups in the parade.