Tennessee State University will join other area higher education institutions in celebrating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 13.

This year, Fisk University will be the host institution for an anticipated 500 students that will go into the community and provide service to more than 15 organizations.

Students will meet at Fisk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13. Other institutions joining Fisk and TSU are: Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Meharry Medical College, Nashville State Community College, Trevecca Nazarene University and Vanderbilt University.

One project in particular will take place on TSU’s main campus and will involve Tennessee State’s Student Government Association, along with representatives from student leadership organizations at each school. Called the Food Security project, organizers say the effort is expected to provide more than 10,000 meals for families in need.

“TSU is excited to join faculty and student volunteers … as we celebrate continuing the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Shirley Nix-Davis, director of outreach for TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. “One of his greatest quotes is, ‘everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.’”

Last year, more than 300 TSU students participated in various MLK Day of Service projects around Nashville that included working with kids, assisting elderly residents, packing food and painting.

Linda Tynan, a resident at an independent living apartment complex in La Vergne, Tennessee, said she was grateful for the assistance students provided last year.

“I think it’s terrific to see these students lend a hand to people they don’t even know,” Tynan said. “I appreciated every minute of it.”
For more information about TSU’s Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, visit www.tnstate.edu/servicelearning