Widener Honors MLK through Community, Service, and Partnership

Emily Barrett, associate director of communications
Widener students, community members, and university partners hold a sign and lead the MLK Day of Service peace march outside of the Philadelphia Union stadium.

Community, service, and partnership were the central themes at this year’s MLK Day of Service as members of the Widener community celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The annual event was held at locations across Chester and brought together Widener students, faculty, and staff along with participants from organizations including the Philadelphia Union, city of Chester, Delaware County, Cultural Arts & Technology, or CAAT, Center, the Making a Change Group, and America250PADelco. 

President Stacey Robertson joined local elected officials and organizational leaders in sharing remarks in the morning ahead of the group’s peace march through Chester.

The day offered an opportunity for students, like Jenna Waldron ‘25, to reflect on King’s vision of equity and social justice while engaging in hands-on activities alongside residents and community partners.

Speaking to the crowd, Waldron, a senior biology major, said, “let us honor King’s legacy by continuing to give back and grow together. You’re not just here to help, you’re here to learn, to connect, and to strengthen the bonds of our community.” 

Ahead of the Monday holiday, graduate health students hosted service days at more than 10 locations across Chester that focused on community health and personal wellness. Students in the physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and physician assistant programs offered services including blood pressure and hearing screens and cleanings for assistive walking devices.

Explore highlights of Widener's engagement across Chester

Students participate in activities at the Philadelphia Union.
President Stacey Robertson was among local leaders and officials to share remarks to kickoff the daylong event.
Jenna Waldron '25
Students take part in community-building activities at the CAAT Center in Chester.
Widener students at the annual MLK Day of Service in Chester.
A physician assistant graduate student does a blood pressure screening at the Chester Senior Center.
A speech-language pathology student conducts a hearing screen at the Chester Senior Center.
Physical therapy students clean and screen an assistive walking device at the Chester Senior Center.

Learn about Widener's commitment to civic engagement

 

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