BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College hosted its third annual Heritage Day on Wednesday, September 26 as the College held a celebration of Moravian tradition, community and service.
The day began in Johnston Hall with a convocation led by President Bryon L. Grigsby '90. Afterwards the members of Moravian's student body, faculty and staff broke into 47 groups and headed to service projects on and off campus for the rest of the morning.
Ten Moravian athletic department staff members served as team leaders for the groups with Director of Athletics/Women's Basketball Coach Mary Beth Spirk, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Jasmyne Fox and Head Men's basketball Coach Justin Potts leading a group that traveled to Marvine Elementary School, Assistant Men's basketball Coach Sean Rossi heading to the Historic Bethlehem Apothecary Garden and Associate Director of Athletics Renee Hellert traveled with a group to the Mercy School for Special Learning.
Head Women's Volleyball Coach Shelley Bauder led a group on campus that assembled jump ropes while Head Field Hockey Coach Kristen Gillis and Assistant Field Hockey Coach Breanna Paulson led a group working with Holiday Hope Chest and Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kristen Nicholson and Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach Erin Allen led a group working on projects for Peaceable Kingdom.
"We had another great opportunity to serve our campus and community today in the third annual Heritage Day," commented Bauder. For me personally, I look forward to it every year as I am able to interact with students while creating jump ropes to be used for fun and exercise for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club."
While a majority of Moravian's student-athletes participated in Heritage Day, senior men's track & field thrower Hunter Gibson served as a Student Team Leader at the Valley Youth House.
"Participating in heritage day as a student-athlete means a lot," Gibson sated. "Often times, student-athletes are seen as leaders on campus, and it's an incredible opportunity to extend that reach to the local community. It was a very humbling experience being able to help people out and seeing smiles on their face."
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.
