Eric D. Blackburn
Reporter
November 12, 2004
Milligan College’s Institute for Servant Leadership has started planning for the Jan. 18, 2005 Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day.
“We’re trying to get a head start so things will be well organized once the service day finally arrives,” said Director of the Institute for Servant Leadership Beth Anderson.
What began last spring semester as a four day event focusing on the ideals of servant leadership will once again be apart of the activities for the upcoming spring semester.
“Students are encouraged to celebrate the day of service and reflection in memory of Dr. King by getting involved with clubs or volunteer groups that will serve within the local community,” said Anderson.
In making preparations, Anderson’s office has already sent out letters to specific students requesting help in planning the event. They have also approached and received 16 responses from agencies that will participate in the service day.
“Although we are sending out letters and targeting minority students, we encourage and welcome anyone willing to volunteer and help,” said Anderson.
“We’re doing everything we can to make this event run smoothly,” said Amanda Ruble, secretary of the ISL. “We’ve got a brainstorming meeting coming up. There is a LINC meeting that will discuss the aspect of assigning certain groups with certain agencies. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Director of student life Kim Parker, who is coordinating the convocation portion of the event, anticipates the tone of the assembly will be that of reverence and reflection of what King stood for.
Associate professor of theology and philosophy Philip Kenneson was positive on the idea of continuing the servant leadership day on behalf of King.
“The dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reflect Milligan’s mission of servant leadership,” said Kenneson. “His desire for equality and peace changed lives and shaped culture.”
Kenneson is also a member of the Ethnic Diversity Committee at Milligan which brought the concept of a service day in place of just the traditional holiday.
With two months of planning done before the event, Anderson thinks that two months of planning before the event will help to cover some last minute details.
“When it comes down to it, I just have to remind myself what I’m doing this for and have faith it will all work out,” said Anderson.