‘It’s Bruin Time in the Community’ Puts Employee Bruins at Hunters Lane High School
Belmont University employees painted a Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) with their Bruin pride during a community service project Friday morning. Approximately 150 Belmont staff, faculty and administrators spent their morning giving Hunters Lane High School hallways, gymnasium, stairwells, railings and banisters a cosmetic lift with a fresh coat of paint.
“I am absolutely delighted that you are here. For the first time in the six years I’ve been here I’ve been able to have a school come and help my school. A lot of people want to work in elementary schools or schools in their community, and they don’t live around here,” said Principal Susan Kessler, who has 80 percent of her 1,700 ninth through 12th-grade students living below the poverty line. “When students come in the building on Monday morning, they will notice the changes Belmont has made. All I have to offer you is my gratitude. Your work truly matters.”
The service project, which the University dubbed “It’s Bruin Time in the Community,” was a day designed to foster the sense of community among Belmont employees by serving the greater Nashville community. Much like during Belmont’s Annual SERVE Day for incoming freshmen and transfer students, this service project was part of the University’s ongoing mission to engage in the community and encourage the values of service on both a local and global level.
“Belmont has a great partnership with MNPS, and this service project provides another opportunity to enhance our commitment to them,” said Vice President and Chief of Staff Susan West. “Belmont places great emphasis on service. Our service to others helps to define who we are as a University. This day of service for faculty and staff allows another opportunity for Belmont to celebrate who we are and model the way for our students.”
As campus life proceeded as usual, Belmont employees left their offices and University roles to participate on a voluntary basis. Professors not teaching morning classes joined support staff, vice presidents and other University professionals to become better acquainted with colleagues over buckets and brushes.
“I just like to help out,” said Ken Jackson, a housekeeping supervisor at Belmont University. “I know from being on our side that you get busy and need extra hands to help out, so I am glad so many Belmont housekeeping and maintenance staff volunteered.”
Also among the Belmont volunteers was Human Resources Assistant Shauna Seymore, 1997 alumna of Hunters Lane.
“I volunteered because I thought it would be a good opportunity to give back to the school that gave me an education. It was my way of paying it forward. Painting was really fun and a team effort. We were all there working for one common goal,” she said.
