Florida State University students, employees and student organizations were honored for their commitment to student success at Leadership Awards Night on Tuesday, April 7.

The awards, hosted by the Office of Student Organizations and Involvement, are an annual recognition for campus members that epitomize the definition of leadership through achievement, service or organizational involvement.

The evening was accompanied by performances from two student organizations, the Acabelles at FSU and the Belly Dancers at FSU.

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More than 1,100 college students volunteered around Tallahassee on Saturday, Feb. 21 to give back to the community that supports them throughout their time in school.

The Big Event Tallahassee brings together students from Florida State, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College. Guided by the motto “A Thank You to Tallahassee,” students take part in two service days each year.

The one-day service projects, The Little Event in the fall and The Big Event in the spring, assist nonprofit organizations, businesses and residences by organizing, cleaning or performing small repairs like painting. During the fall event, more than 600 students assisted 40 sites. In February, The Big Event Tallahassee helped at more than 55 locations throughout the city. Sites included schools, local businesses, nonprofits and residences.

Students sign up as a group or individual to participate. Before the event, the registered student organization (RSO) with the most participants wins the Golden Shovel.

Two shovels are awarded: one for a Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) organization and one for an RSO. The Delta Lambda chapter of Beta Theta Pi and the Florida Beta chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a National Health Preprofessional Honor Society, won this year.

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Florida State University’s Student Government Association, in collaboration with Union Productions and the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes, welcomed songwriter, actor and author Leslie Odom, Jr. for the annual Golden Torch Lecture Series Tuesday, Jan. 20, as part of the university community’s 38th MLK Week celebration.

Florida State University’s MLK Week has celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for more than three decades in an effort to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to reflect on the past and support one another to build a better world for tomorrow. The weeklong celebration across campus aligns with Dr. King’s birthday on Jan. 15 and the federal holiday observed on the third Monday of the month.

“Bringing Leslie Odom, Jr. to campus through our MLK Program and the Golden Torch Lecture Series was a powerful reflection of this year’s theme, ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,’” said Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement. “From the FSU School of Theatre Masterclass to the sold-out moderated conversation, the experience affirmed the arts as a vehicle for leadership, truth-telling and healing. Odom’s body of work, spanning Broadway, film, and music, models how storytelling can elevate voices and inspire collective responsibility. His closing performance was intentional and deeply moving; it reminded us of the power of shared humanity and left a lasting impact on our campus and the Tallahassee community that we will never forget.”

FSU’s Air Force ROTC kicked off the program with the presentation of colors, with DaSean Stokes singing the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing. The evening also featured performances by the FSU Gospel Choir and School of Dance student Jamora Lewis, recognition of the MLK Book Stipend awardees and concluded with Odom’s keynote conversation and surprise performance.

“Chances are you are not the first person to do anything — and that’s a wonderful thing — because even in the scariest moments, you can borrow from the courage of the people that have come before you.”

– Leslie Odom, Jr.

Odom is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated songwriter, actor and New York Times bestselling author. Best known for his breakout role as Aaron Burr in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton,” Odom has continued to captivate audiences across multiple platforms through six albums, two books, as well as television, film and stage roles.

Some of Odom’s film and television credits include Rian Johnson’s record-breaking 2022 Knives Out sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” for Netflix, “Abbott Elementary,” “Harriet,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel to David Chase’s award-winning HBO series “The Sopranos,” Apple TV+’s “Central Park” (2020 Emmy nomination), “Hamilton” on Disney+ (2021 Emmy nomination), host of “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back!” on CBS (2022 Emmy nomination), “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” and many more.

Odom’s inspiring Golden Torch Lecture conversation covered a wide array of themes including identity, artistry and the importance of building upon the legacy of those who came before us. The conversation was moderated by FSU School of Theatre Assistant Professor of Performance Jasmine Bracey.

“Chances are you are not the first person to do anything — and that’s a wonderful thing — because even in the scariest moments, you can borrow from the courage of the people that have come before you,” Odom shared. “You still gotta do it yourself, but you are not alone. The people that have succeed before you are rooting you on.”

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Florida State University will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its 38th annual MLK Week. This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” will highlight how the FSU community can foster connection, understanding and shared responsibility through meaningful dialogue.

MLK Week takes place Wednesday, Jan. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 20. All events are free and open to the public.

This year’s programming brings the Tallahassee community together with the MLK Commemoration Ceremony and Golden Torch Lecture Series on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Leslie Odom, Jr., songwriter, actor and New York Times-bestselling author, is this year’s keynote speaker.

“This year’s theme reflects our commitment to fostering understanding and meaningful connection across our campus and community,” said Felicia Williams, director of Student Engagement. “We are honored to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Florida State and look forward to a week of inspiring events, thought-provoking discussions and community engagement that challenge us to overcome divisions, strengthen relationships and continue Dr. King’s work.”

The Commemoration Ceremony will also feature performances from the FSU Gospel Choir and Dance Ensemble, and a presentation of scholarships to honor FSU community members.

Register for this free event at tickets.fsu.edu. Tickets will be available at noon on Thursday, Jan. 15, and are required for entry.

For more information and the full schedule of events, visit mlk.fsu.edu.

Featured upcoming MLK Week events include:

THURSDAY, JAN. 15

BREAKING BREAD AND BREAKING BARRIERS

MLK Dialogue Dinner

Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event: 7 p.m.

FSU Alumni Center

This event centers on connection, understanding and shared responsibility. The evening is designed as a space where student leaders can come together to engage in meaningful conversation across differences. As individuals who help break barriers on our campus, we believe it is equally important to take time to break bread together, recognizing that dialogue, empathy and understanding are often nurtured most effectively around the table.

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

BUILDING TRADITION

Memories of a Living King hosted by Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute

6-8 p.m.

FSU Alumni Center

Florida State University’s Civil Rights Institute will host the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration “Memories of a Living King.” The event honors the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a unique blend of art, performance and community engagement, with the following objectives: memorialize Dr. King’s contributions to the global community, educate and demonstrate the American Civil Rights Movement through the arts, and garner broad community input into the strategic direction of the FSU Civil Rights Institute.

This event is free and open to the public.

MONDAY, JAN. 19

BRIDGING COMMUNITY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday and National Day of Service

Throughout Tallahassee

Below is a list of Tallahassee community events in honor of the national Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and ways to get involved with service all year round.

These events are free and open to the public.

• MLK Day Parade | Downtown Tallahassee | 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Dream Festival | Cascades Park | 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• MLK BBQ | Jack McLean Park, 700 Paul Russell Road | 2:30 p.m.

The 20th annual MLK barbecue, hosted by the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., commemorates the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will include free food, local vendors, games and voter registration drive with LeonVotes.

Volunteer for service sites throughout the Tallahassee area in honor of Dr. King’s legacy and commitment to serving our communities all year round. Find a community service project with Engage TLH. Volunteers will be able to sign up for engagement opportunities via the Engage TLH portal.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20

BUILDING YOUR VOICE

MLK 2026 Commemoration Program and Golden Torch Lecture with Leslie Odom, Jr.

Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event: 7 p.m.

Ruby Diamond Concert Hall

Enjoy a night celebrating FSU community members, featuring a performance by the FSU Gospel Choir, and an engaging conversation with our keynote speaker Leslie Odom, Jr. This commemoration event for FSU’s 38th Annual MLK Week is one you won’t want to miss!

This event is free and open to the public.

Community members can secure a ticket for this event at tickets.fsu.edu. Tickets open at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.

About the keynote speaker: Leslie Odom, Jr. is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated songwriter, actor, and New York Times bestselling author. Odom is best known for his breakout role as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton,” but has continued to captivate audiences across multiple platforms through six albums, two books, and an unbelievable amount of television, film, and stage roles. Film and television credits include Rian Johnson’s record-breaking 2022 Knives Out sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” for Netflix, “Abbott Elementary,” “Harriet,” “The Many Saints of Newark,” a prequel to David Chase’s award-winning HBO series The Sopranos, Apple TV+’s Central Park (2020 Emmy nomination), “Hamilton” on Disney+ (2021 Emmy nomination), host of “The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back!” on CBS (2022 Emmy nomination), “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” and many more.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

The FSU Department of Student Engagement, under the Division of Student Affairs, promotes student growth through collaboration and leads campus programming that connects students to the university, providing a sense of belonging where they can evolve and make an impact throughout the world. Learn more at engagement.fsu.edu.

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Relay For Life at Florida State University has been recognized with two awards by the American Cancer Society (ACS) through the Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Awards, which recognizes college campuses and organizational leaders nationally.

Relay For Life at FSU was named the 2024 Campus Event of the Year. The award recognizes events that embody the passion, innovation and grassroots spirit of Relay For Life.

“It is such a tremendous honor for Relay For Life at FSU to be recognized for their work as a student organization,” said Stormy McGivern, program director with FSU Student Organizations and Involvement. “While these awards recognize the accomplishments of the organization in 2024, they truly acknowledge the passion, perseverance and dedication of the organization over several years. Their collaborative efforts have established them as national leaders among their peers. We are thrilled to have such a vibrant program as a part of the registered student organization community at FSU.”

Awards are chosen by the Nationwide American Cancer Society Fundraising Leadership Community and Campus Teams. In the nomination materials, Carlye Collison, FSU’s ACS staff partner, highlighted the students’ creativity, determination and relentless spirit in the fight against cancer.

In 2024, Relay For Life at FSU raised more than $123,000, surpassing its $108,000 goal. The student-led organization has consistently exceeded its targets, achieving 22% annual growth in fundraising.

Catherine Marshall, Relay For Life at FSU 2023-24 executive director, was also honored as the 2024 Campus Relayer of the Year. This honor recognizes volunteers who have shown exemplary leadership in their community or campus.

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Sixteen Florida State University students volunteered with the City of Tallahassee for the annual MLK Community Celebration and Festival at Cascades Park on Monday, Jan. 20.

As part of FSU’s 37th Annual MLK Week, “United We Serve” encouraged FSU students to get involved with service projects offered by the FSU Center for Leadership & Service’s EngageTLH program. The event brought together members of the FSU student organization DREAM and Student Government Association, as well as students with EngageTLH, the Community Ambassador Program and Service Scholars from the Center for Leadership & Service.

“When students commit to service, they are doing more than helping out, they are learning alongside local leaders while building trust and collective empowerment in their community,” said Maria-Paula McIntyre, program coordinator for EngageTLH.

Student volunteers participated in place-based community service and engaged with Tallahassee history that is displayed throughout Cascades Park.

“The MLK Day events held by the City of Tallahassee are essential for fostering community and promoting service,” said Priyanka Perumalraja, an FSU sophomore studying computational biology. “Service is an act of bringing the community together to address a community need in an actionable way and is one of the most important facets of our society.”

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Florida State University’s Student Government Association, in collaboration with Union Productions and the Office of Student Agencies and Institutes, welcomed author and comedian Ziwe Fumudoh for the annual Golden Torch Lecture Series Tuesday, Jan. 14, as part of the university community’s 37th MLK Week celebration.

The evening featured performances by the FSU Gospel Choir and School of Dance student Nailah Lee, recognized the MLK Book Stipend awardees and concluded with Fumudoh’s keynote conversation.

“The student talent that kicked off the evening — from our emcee and gospel choir to the dancer and FSU ROTC Color Guard — perfectly embodied the theme ‘United We Stand,’” said Felicia Williams, director of FSU’s Department of Student Engagement. “Their performances captured the spirit of unity and strength that Dr. King’s legacy represents. We were also honored to welcome Ziwe Fumudoh as our keynote speaker. Her thought-provoking words and sharp wit inspired and challenged us all to continue the work of building a more compassionate society.”

Fumudoh is a Nigerian-American author and comedian known for her satirical commentary on race relations in the modern era. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied radio, television, film and African American studies. In 2017, Fumudoh created “Baited with Ziwe,” a show on YouTube that, in her own words, “allows viewers to laugh about race while still acknowledging its complexity.” In October 2020, the first season of “Ziwe,” Fumudoh’s variety show on Showtime, was announced. Its six episodes featured sketches, musical numbers and interviews with celebrity guests including Fran Lebowitz, Bowen Yang, Phoebe Bridgers, Julio Torres and Stacey Abrams.

During the keynote, Fumudoh discussed her approach to personal style, navigating a “nontraditional” career path, and how aligning one’s interests and skills can help individuals be their authentic selves.

“Being yourself is the only thing you’re going to be a star at,” she said.

The humorous and inspiring conversation also touched on the importance of nonviolence that MLK’s life’s work emphasized, and the legacy that has left on Fumudoh’s life and professional career, noting how nonviolence brings the community together.

“Have open ears and be actively willing to listen to ideas contrary to yours,” Fumudoh said. “You have to listen to people you disagree with, that is how we can connect with each other and unite to create a better world.”

The evening honored five MLK Book Stipend awardees and two MLK Distinguished Service awardees. Undergraduate student Khameron Jones and graduate student Enyinnaya Chinatu were awarded the MLK Book Stipend and the FSU National Black Alumni selected three awardees: Breoshia Jones, Britnee Blake and Brinya Kydd. The MLK Distinguished Service Award was given to Assistant Dean for Culture & Community Engagement Keithen Mathis from the FSU College of Social Work and Elaine Howard, strategic projects and community engagement at FSU’s College of Communication and Information.

“I was extremely honored to emcee the Golden Torch Lecture Series because I not only got to commemorate the remarkable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but also shared a stage with a prominent Black woman: Ziwe,” said Serena Petit, president of the Black Student Union. “I feel it’s so important to continue having programming like this because it illustrates how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a trailblazer and deserves to be celebrated.”

MLK Week aims to bring the FSU and Tallahassee communities together to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Events that were originally scheduled through Jan. 25, were impacted by the winter storm and are working on being rescheduled for future dates.

For more information and to stay up to date with rescheduled events, visit mlk.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University students play a pivotal role in supporting the Tallahassee economy. But beyond their economic contributions, students also make a significant impact through community engagement and service.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, more than 4,250 FSU students dedicated nearly 236,000 hours of service, worth an estimated $7.5 million, to nonprofit organizations.

“By volunteering and giving back, students can make a real difference in the lives of others and help build a stronger, more connected community,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “Acts of service not only benefit the organization and recipients, but also instill a sense of civic responsibility and social awareness in students. Students who volunteer are nurturing their own personal growth and development, as well as helping shape the future of our community.”

Local agencies served by FSU students in recent years include The Kearney Center, Project Annie and Second Harvest of the Big Bend Food Bank.

Positive impact

As the region’s primary source for charitable food, Second Harvest provides healthy food for those facing hunger and food insecurity throughout the 16-county Big Bend service area. They say they could not accomplish their vision without the help of FSU students.

“The value that Florida State students bring to Second Harvest is immeasurable,” said Ashleigh Wilson, communications coordinator at Second Harvest. “Students at FSU often help coordinate food drives, help with our daily operations and commit to consistently serving our community directly.”

Second Harvest’s facility serves as the storage and distribution depot for more than 149 smaller frontline agency partners in their efforts to feed the hungry and educate the community about the fight to end hunger.

Kate Ash, a recent graduate from the Dedman College of Hospitality, found out about Second Harvest through a Leadership in Groups and Communities (LDR 2162) class during her sophomore year. The course is offered through the Leadership Studies program in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

During her time with Second Harvest, Ash served as a volunteer and intern, even bringing in groups from her sorority to donate their time. She has helped coordinate volunteers and organized the volunteer appreciation week.

“While it can be hard for students to take the time to volunteer, it gets you outside of your bubble,” Ash said. “You’ll realize that you are not only making a positive impact on the community, but that it can make a positive impact on you.”

How students find opportunities

The Center for Leadership and Service, the campus hub for service, is charged with helping students develop skills and knowledge to become more effective leaders and engage responsibly with communities. Through various programs and resources, the center aims to foster and sustain collaborative relationships among students, the FSU campus and the broader community.

EngageTLH, one program the center offers, fosters meaningful connections between the FSU and Tallahassee communities with the goal of making service accessible for students. The program offers service trips to community partner agencies on various days and times.

Trips have addressed such needs as animal care, K-12 academic development, environmental sustainability, elder care, food insecurity and homelessness.

“Students only commit to one trip when they sign up but often return when they find a cause they are passionate about,” said Maria-Paula McIntyre, who coordinates the EngageTLH program. “Many go on to take leadership roles, guiding other students through service as trained facilitators and helping them understand the community needs their service helps alleviate.”

Last year, about 800 students went on 160 service trips to 19 local agencies through the EngageTLH program, providing an economic impact of $48,700, according to the Independent Sector’s Value of Volunteer Time Report.

Joi Phillips, director of the Center for Leadership & Service, emphasized the importance of the reciprocal relationship between FSU students and the broader community.

“We appreciate the community allowing our students the opportunity to learn from and with them,” Phillips said. “We know that experiential learning as a high-impact practice provides students with the skills to serve as leaders in their communities and to make sustainable change that lasts beyond them and their time in Tallahassee.”

The center also offers programs such as the Service Scholar program, Service Leadership Seminar and the Conversation Café that connect students with opportunities focusing on the areas of leadership, service and civic engagement.

Sophomore Hillary Harbauer has used the center’s resources to get involved. She is a part of the Service Scholar program, is a facilitator for weekly service trips through EngageTLH, serves as a community ambassador and mentors students in service leadership Engage 100 courses.

As a peer mentor through Engage 100, Harbauer facilitates classes that prepare new students to venture into service opportunities in the Tallahassee community.

“Whether we are learning about the Community Ambassadors program or EngageTLH, I support my students by sharing my experiences and sharing the insights I have learned and opportunities that I have found being a part of these programs,” Harbauer said.

She said that a large part of her undergraduate journey so far has been recognizing that there is much to be learned from those in communities different from your own: “My main driving factor is that I understand what it feels like to be overlooked based on your circumstances.”

Solving problems with research

Many FSU students choose to get involved with undergraduate research through the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) or pursue master’s and doctoral degrees through The Graduate School with a research focus on a particular issue. Some of these research projects grapple with issues that face the greater Tallahassee community, initiate conversations and propose collaborative possible solutions.

“Conducting community-informed research has the potential to benefit the student and the collaborating community in powerful ways,” said Latika Young, director of the CRE. “Beyond the typical research skills of design and analysis, students conducting research with and within communities practice the additional skills of networking and partnership development, self-reflexivity and communication skills, among others. These research projects often have instrumental impacts on communities by encouraging stakeholder engagement, modifying behavior and interventions and even informing policy and legislation.”

Senior Alycia Drapcho worked on the research project “GIS Analysis of Heavy Precipitation Events & Contamination in Lake Munson.” Community wastewater spills have the potential to adversely affect community health and water supplies. Drapcho utilized geographic information systems, to examine the possible spread of contaminants beyond initial spill points and the effectiveness of cleanup efforts.

“I think it means focusing on how the bigger, general issues like pollution are affecting us on a smaller, local scale and presenting that in an effort to raise awareness,” Drapcho said. “I was drawn to this project because, like I said, hearing how big issues affect us and not really being able to see it on a small scale, made me more interested to better grasp those concepts. FSU’s research facilities and connections with local researchers allowed us access to up-to-date data, as well as firsthand experiences and insights from researchers familiar with our subject matter and how it has affected the Tallahassee area.”

Camila Aponte, a recent graduate, worked on the research project “Assessing Public Participation in Redevelopment Projects: A Case Study of Tallahassee, Florida.” Her research focused on the social impact of participatory tools in neighborhoods undergoing redevelopment projects and resulted in proposed policy recommendations for future projects.

She says that the CRE and DeVoe L. Moore Center have provided her invaluable guidance throughout her research journey.

“Engaging in research with the Tallahassee community gave me insight into communities that have been impacted by local decision-making for generations,” Aponte said. “Working on this project allowed me to look at a topic that had never been explored before and having the opportunity to work and learn alongside other students, a team leader and mentor.”

Benefits of experiential learning

FSU student-service opportunities provide immense value to the community while also allowing students to gain valuable insights and have formative experiences that go beyond their time at Florida State University.

Experiential learning allows students to apply and strengthen their knowledge and skills through hands-on experiences outside the classroom. Other community engagement opportunities exist through internships, international study, creative activities and coursework.

“We’re grateful to give FSU students these unique opportunities to get outside the classroom, engage with the broader community and deepen their understanding of the issues that affect our region,” said Joe O’Shea, associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies. “This is the kind of work that inspires students to become the leaders of their generation and use their talents to make a lasting impact in the world.”

For more information about experiential learning opportunities at FSU, visit studentsuccess.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s Department of Student Engagement, in partnership with Club Downunder and the Student Government Association, recently hosted an art exhibit and fashion show inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Benefit, better known as the Met Gala.

“Interlocking Art, a Multi-Medium Gala,” part of the Festival of the Creative Arts, highlighted FSU students from a multitude of genres combining performance art, sound art, visual art, projection art and more.  The event featured student organizations such as Diverse World Fashion Magazine, Stitch Fashion and Design Club and Thrift Club at FSU, performances by student jazz duo Sarah Langdon and Blake Dwelle and art pieces from more than 60 student artists.

The Festival of the Creative Arts is a campus wide collaborative event hosted by the Office of Research to highlight the diverse voices, talents and creativity of FSU faculty and students. Departments from across campus came together throughout February to celebrate the innovation and diversity that result from combining various modes of expression and subjects.

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