Campus community completes service projects to honor MLK legacy

Instead of taking a day off on Jan. 16, the UofL community joined to complete service projects around Louisville to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday marked the seventh year the university held the MLK Day of Service. About 225 participants completed projects at sites including Volunteers of America, Americana Community Center, Shelby Park, Sojourn Community Church, Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Nature Center, Louisville Urban League Saturday Academy, Uspiritus, Colon Cancer Prevention Project, Dreams with Wings and the Kristy Love Foundation.

Michael Mardis, dean of students and vice provost for student affairs, was among the volunteers who spent the afternoon at the Americana Community Center, completing projects such as sorting donations, organizing the library and clearing out old materials from the facility. Volunteers also learned about the mission of the center and how it helps refugee, immigrant and underserved families.

Mardis said the event brings the campus community together, with students from diverse student organizations working alongside one another. He said the event meets one of the university’s learning objectives in encouraging students to be engaged in the community.

 “We hope our students learn that they can give back and make a difference,” Mardis said.

See photos from the Americana Community Center project.