Gators Safely Serve in the Community to Honor MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was Monday, but University of Houston-Downtown students got a headstart on honoring the memory of the iconic Civil Rights leader.
Approximately 22 students assembled on Saturday, Jan. 16 for community service projects at the Japanese Gardens at Hermann Park and Mission Milby Community Center. Their efforts were made possible through the annual GatorServe initiative, which connects UHD to the community through service projects.
Volunteers were required to maintain safe distances from each other and wear face coverings while working in both locations.
GatorServe is conducted twice a year to honor MLK Day and the memory of those who lost their lives during 9/11. The event is made possible through the efforts of UHD's Center for Community Engagement & Service Learning (CCESL).
"At CCESL, we believe that engaging in community action continues to solve social problems and volunteering can unite individuals of all ages and backgrounds while building stronger communities," said Caroline Smith, Assistant Director of CCESL. "I am grateful to work with volunteers practicing safe distancing while volunteering to show the importance of serving the community in which we live."
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
