BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College hosted its second annual Heritage Day on Wednesday, September 20 as the College held a celebration of Moravian tradition, community and service.
After a light breakfast in Johnston Hall and convocation led by President Bryon L. Grigsby '90, the members of Moravian's student body, faculty and staff broke into 44 groups and headed to service projects on and off campus for the rest of the morning.
Six Moravian athletic department staff members served as team leaders for the groups with Director of Athletics/Women's Basketball Coach Mary Beth Spirk and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Danielle Brogan leading a group that traveled to Cops 'n Kids in Fountain Hill, Head Field Hockey Coach Kristen Gillis working with Brett Feldman and the Allentown Parkettes and Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kristen Nicholson led the group that headed to Valley Youth House.
"The women's lacrosse coaches went to the Valley Youth House to help clean and ready the camp for their next group of children to come stay," Nicholson said. "It was an amazing experience giving back to an organization that helps children in need and prepares them to be impactful members of society."
Head Women's Volleyball Coach Shelley Bauder led a group on campus that assembled jump ropes while Associate Director of Athletics Renee Hellert led a group making stress balls.
"Today was a very inspiring sight," commented Hellert, who joined the Moravian staff this past July. "To see the entire Moravian College community come together and give back is a testament to the rich tradition of service that is the mission of the institution. The hard work and dedication of those who organized and participated in this campus-wide event today is what makes me proud to be a Hound."
While a majority of Moravian's student-athletes participated in Heritage Day, five Greyhounds served as Student Team Leaders including senior pole vaulter Beth Ann Davies at the Hispanic Center in Bethlehem, sophomore men's tennis player Christopher Csencsits at the Historic Bethlehem Burnside Plantation, sophomore softball player Colleen McCoy at the Historic Bethlehem Moravian Museum, senior men's cross country runner Josh Toth at the Monocacy Creek clean-up and junior men's track & field thrower Hunter Gibson at the Valley Youth House.
"I love being apart of the campus wide event today," stated Davies. "It was so moving to see how much an impact we made with all of the services our college provided for the community. It is absolutely incredible that our school does this event, it not only reminds of us of our heritage, but to see how grateful individuals are to see our generation taking a day to help those in need. I really enjoyed being a site leader today at the Hispanic Center because I was able to meet more people on campus. I also was able to spread my passion for service to others. I wish that I was not graduating so I would be able to participate again in the future. My love for service will never end."
The groups returned to Johnston Hall after their service for lunch as well as reflection on the events of the day. The day concluded with the making of a time capsule, a performance by the Moravian College Choir and a community photo on John Makuvek Field.
