The Center for Campus Ministry (CCM) is always a beautiful spot on campus, but it’s especially inviting when surrounded by bright colors and messages of love and acceptance from MC students and faculty.
Pride Club, Progressive Christian Community (PCC) and the Maryville College Chapel collaborated to organize the second annual Pride Chalk Walk on Tuesday, September 27. This event brings together people from all across campus for a celebration of our LGBTQ community members, as well as a reminder that our religious spaces are welcoming to all people, and they are valued, affirmed, and loved in all parts of our campus.
Noah Bowman’s reminder to “always be modeling” is a motto that applies to all aspects of campus life, including modeling acceptance and love for all MC community members.Inclusion and acceptance are a big part of being a Scot, and Ava Bernardino, senior Pride Club Vice Chair, used her chalk message to emphasize it.It’s hard not to smile when you see students coming together to make their mark.President Coker stopped by to show his support and spread some love alongside students. Catelee “Crow” Crow, junior Pride Club President, spoke about her experiences as a member of the LGBTQ community. Crow, who helped organize the event, has grown Pride Club to be the largest student organization on campus. Photo courtesy of Emily Huffstetler. Gracie Brandl, junior, showed off her creativity with a rainbow mushroom designJulia Jeffress, sophomore PCC Marketing Chair, Jessica Lewis MAST Program Director, and Sarah Rackley senior PCC President, used rainbow colors to brighten up the steps of the CCM. Rackley was instrumental in organizing the event. Messages like this one from “Randy Raccoon” show off the talent and creativity that is so prevalent among MC students.Wade Mathews, sophomore Pride Club Event Coordinator, and Jenni Cate Rhodes, junior Pride Club Meeting Leader, worked behind the scenes to help make the event a success. Students walking to and from Pearson’s Dining Hall were greeted with this collection of messages, which will ring true long after the rain has washed away the chalk.
