Sam Houston State University has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its commitment to community engagement. One example of this is the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, where students, faculty, and staff volunteer at local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Walker County, Good Shepherd Mission, and Huntsville Public Library.
The event is organized by the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. Volunteers take on tasks that help these organizations continue their work in the community. According to Lance, library director at Huntsville Public Library, “Here in Huntsville — the library, Good Shepherd Mission, SAAFE House — we all work on limited funds and rely on volunteers for our programs throughout the year. This project here [MLK Day of Service] is tremendous for us. Fifteen-18 people knocked out in a day what would take us several weeks to do.”
Sophomore Mayara Lumbi participated through her involvement with the Campus Activities Board and helped oversee operations at Good Shepherd Mission during the event. She said, “The reason why I chose to participate in MLK Day of Service is because I know Martin Luther King Jr. represented giving back and being together as a community. This is the perfect example of doing that while honoring his legacy.”
SHSU connects its mission to that of Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing service as a key value: “The measure of a Life is its Service.”
