By Tuskegee University
More than 500 Tuskegee University students blanketed the campus armed with gloves and black plastic trash bags Tuesday afternoon to participate in the first annual Day of Service in honor of founder Booker T. Washington.
Tuesday marked the 108th anniversary of Dr. Washington’s death.
“Five days before he died, he sent a telegram to a campus employee saying, ‘Be sure that my yard is well cleaned,’ “ said Dr. Rolundus Rice, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Student Affairs. “This quote is the driving theme behind what will be an annual initiative on Nov. 14.”
Students representing sororities and fraternities, sports teams and other organizations flocked to the University Chapel to get their assignments for the afternoon. Some chose weeding flowerbeds at the main gates, some general grounds clean-up and others helped spruce up residence halls.
“This gives our students an opportunity to show what service means to them and contribute to a larger mission,” said Dr. Rice. “We are going to incorporate many more service activities for students throughout the year.”