Penn College News

From Building Blocks of Kindness, Community Grows

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Kyeesha C. Howard (left), a legal assistant/paralegal student from Philadelphia, receives flowers from College Women of Williamsport, represented by April M. Tucker, of Muncy, majoring in applied human services.A Kindness Wall in the Bush Campus Center shares such tips as "Sit with someone that is sitting alone" and "I cheer accomplishments."Bradley G. Willis, of Phillipsburg, N.J., a heating, ventilation and air conditioning design technology major, snags a Wildcat Hug.The Bystander Committee distributed mints and encouraging words for those attending the Spring Career Fair.The Student Government Association's Benjamin L. Thayer, a residential construction technology and management student from Hampton, N.J., staffs a coffee-and-cookie table.Penn College's Community and Commuter Assistants initiated "Random Acts of Kindness Week" from March 14-18, spearheaded by Commuter Assistant Morgan N. Keyser and taking a multi-pronged approach to spreading smiles. "This semester, I felt like I needed to look for a way to make a large impact on people," said Keyser, a graphic design major from Cogan Station. "Our original idea was to take some chocolates to (First Year Experience) classes as a random act of kindness and they would have positive, encouraging quotes on them. This was important for me to pursue because ...it has an immense impact on those involved in sharing and receiving kindness. This sparked my idea for #PCTRandomActs of Kindness week. It went off quite successfully, with a combination of offices, groups and organizations working together to promote kindness. Each day of the week we made sure to have at least one group doing a random act of kindness." Helping in addition to the CAs were the Bystander Committee, Student Government Association, Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), College Women of Williamsport and Students Making a Contribution.  In thanking all of the like-minded organizations who furthered the endeavor, Keyser urged the entire campus community to make it a year-round goal. "Do not forget to continue to pass on the kindness."
Photos provided