Minnesota State Community and Technical College is making good on its promise to perform “20 Acts of Kindness” in honor of the college’s 20th anniversary.
From holiday bell ringing to community blood drives, blanket-making for hospital patients to fundraisers for food pantries, M State students, staff and faculty have already planned or hosted more than 20 special events and activities to raise awareness and donations for charitable causes – and they’re not done yet, with almost half the school year still left to go.
“We owe our strength and success as a college today to the support and generosity of our communities, so it feels right to celebrate this anniversary milestone with a focus on giving back, as a way of saying ‘thank you,’” says M State President Carrie Brimhall. “I’m proud to say our students, staff and faculty rose to the occasion, embracing ‘20 Acts of Kindness’ with enthusiasm and really putting their hearts and energy into it.”
M State students, staff and faculty are significant supporters of community causes even in non-anniversary years, contributing $3.3 million annually to the state economy in volunteer time, energy and donations (as reported by the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities).
“We support the greater community, just as the greater community supports us,” says Brimhall. “Our college and the people who work and study here are deeply invested in the success of the community, and want to see the area thrive.”
M State was created in the 2003-2004 academic year by a state-backed merger of the existing community college in Fergus Falls with the Detroit Lakes, Moorhead and Wadena campuses of the former Northwest Regional Technical College. The merger was considered a ‘best of both worlds’ marriage of vocational and technical programming with a liberal arts and transfer curriculum.
M State announced its 20th anniversary earlier this year with the publication of a commemorative magazine and public tree dedication ceremonies at the college’s four campuses.
The “20 Acts of Kindness” initiative began at the start of the school year and is ongoing through the spring semester. Acts vary in size and scope, but all support good causes.
A fall “No Shave November” event, for example, challenged the campus communities to, “Toss the trimmers and let it grow” to draw attention to physical and mental wellbeing. For a donation of $20, anyone at the college could sponsor a student, staff or faculty member to grow out or keep their existing facial hair through November. Creative hair designs were encouraged, and photos were posted to social media. The effort was organized by M State’s College Social Workers and Hunger Council and was held in conjunction with a monthlong food drive for M State Campus Cupboards.
The good works continued through the holiday season and beyond, with nursing students organizing food, donation and blood drives, automotive students fixing up vehicles for free for people in need, the volleyball team holding a “Dig Pink” event for breast cancer awareness, faculty and staff hiding little “Good Luck Ducks” for students to find during exams week, and the list goes on. See the full list on our 20th Anniversary website, minnesota.edu/20.
