Finlandia celebrates MLK Day of Service with local elementary schools

Martin Luther King, Jr. Read-In to be held Friday, January 20, at Chapel of St. Matthew 

Lions Athletics celebrated Finlandia’s MLK Day of Service by spending time at local elementary schools on Monday. Three programs had the opportunity to connect with local students and engage with them in their classroom settings through book readings, class work and games.

Finlandia Lions Men’s Basketball visited Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary School, where they were greeted with an abundance of excitement for a fun-filled hour. The Lions Women’s Basketball team, largely consisting of Western Upper Peninsula talent, also had an especially enjoyable day connecting with students at Chassell Elementary Schools.

At South Range Elementary School, time flew by for the Men’s DIII Hockey team but not before being approached with a unique challenge before leaving, an old-fashioned floor hockey game. In what may have been the first-ever game between Finlandia University and South Range Elementary, the experience was undoubtedly memorable for all. Head Coach Joe Burcar shared how fortunate his hockey team was to be able to spend the afternoon at the school.

“MLK Day for our players is a day they look forward to every year. This year we had an opportunity to visit South Range Elementary School and read books to various classes and participate in gym games with the kids. We want to thank Principal Kim Harris and all the teachers, staff and kids for a great day,” Burcar said.

Inaugurated in 2016, MLK Day of Service at Finlandia University has become a tradition ingrained in service and community to pay tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. The university suspends classes for the day so that Finlandia students, staff, alumni and friends of the university may take part in making a difference by serving their communities.

Upcoming Event

On Friday, January 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Finlandia’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Read-In. Each hour will have an arc in contexts, famous essays and sermons. Whole class hours and brief stop-throughs by campus and community members are all welcome. Large groups are asked to RSVP by emailing sarah.semmlersmith@finlandia.edu.

To learn more about MLK Day of Service at Finlandia University, visit finlandia.edu/mlkday.