Mississippi University for Women junior Markayla Duck walked into the Boys and Girls Club in Columbus on Wednesday for the first time in nearly a decade.
Now 20, Duck said she remembers the years she spent in the classroom she was now cleaning for MUW Student Day of Service. She recalled being 11, sitting at the tables and doing her homework, hanging out with friends and playing basketball in the gym.
“I’ve been really wanting to give back here,” Duck said. “It brings back a lot of memories, and the times I had here was great. I’ll always remember it.”
Duck, along with five other MUW volunteers, spent Wednesday afternoon cleaning classrooms, building shelves and working with BGC kids.
MUW Student Day of Service was orchestrated to kick off President Nora Miller’s inaugural celebration. Originally, Miller said she had hoped to volunteer alongside students, but was unable to attend because of meetings. The point, Miller said, was to give back locally and show MUW is a part of Columbus.
“We want to include as much of the community as possible,” Miller said. “I think we are a caring community. Our faculty and staff and students care about the community and each other.”
More than 20 MUW student volunteers also sorted donations at the Salvation Army and Palmer Home thrift stores Wednesday.
Before busloads of more than 100 kids arrived at the Boys and Girls Club, MUW graduate student Shannon Dunlap started building two wire shelves for the cleaning supply closet. Though difficult at first, Dunlap said it eventually came together.
“I’ve built before, but it wasn’t like this,” Dunlap said. “… I love helping people. I didn’t know what to expect. They always say to expect the unexpected. You never know how you’re going to help someone.”
BGC Director Brittany Turner said the club often hosts MUW student volunteers and interns. The university typically reaches out to her to see if she needs any volunteers, she added.
“They told us they wanted to help,” Turner said. “They’ve been very useful and we’re excited any time we get volunteers. We always need more volunteers and we are hoping to build that relationship with The W this year. These kids need a positive role model. The kids love seeing new faces. This goes a long way.”
Sophomore Sydney Stewart said she typically volunteers in her hometown of Winfield, Alabama, and with her social club in Columbus. When the buses arrived to BGC Wednesday, she held the front door open and filed members in a line.
“I really like kids and I knew people who have worked and gone to the Boys and Girls Club and how important it is,” Stewart said. “One of the best ways to give back to the community is to raise a good community. It starts here.”
When Duck was walking through the building and visiting her old classrooms she said she wondered why it had taken her so long to walk back through those doors.
“The murals on the wall are new, but it feels good to come back,” Duck said. “I want to see the kids and I will definitely be back.”
Other inaugural events
Miller’s inaugural celebration continues with a public viewing and reception of MUW art galleries at Sumner Hall from 5:30-7 tonight. Starting at 7, music students will showcase their talents in Poindexter Hall.
The main event starts Friday morning at 10 a.m. in Rent Auditorium for Miller’s Inauguration Ceremony. From 1-3 p.m. that day, Fant Library will host tours every half-hour. At 1:30 p.m. a gallery talk will be at Summer Hall. Fant Library will also have a “behind the scenes” of its archives from 3-4 p.m.
To end the Friday night celebration, a Motown concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free but must be reserved. On Saturday morning, Miller is hosting a 5K race, starting at Stark Recreation Center at 8:30 a.m.
“In a way, we’re just celebrating and we want the community to be a part of it,” Miller said. “I’m hoping some people will come to the inauguration ceremony because we’ve only had 15 of them in the history of The W, it’s a big deal.”
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