Lock Haven University (LHU) students, faculty, staff and alumni recently celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by assisting with various civic activities during LHU's annual MLK Day of Service.
The festivities kicked off with an alumni panel with four recent Haven graduates responsible for the creation and grand opening of LHU's food pantry, the Haven Cupboard.
Cheick Diawara '19, Cimone Weeks '19, Jasmine Wei '20 and Maia Mash '20 each highlighted how the culture of service established at The Haven helped shape their young careers and continues to inspire them to remain civically engaged within their respective communities.
Diawara was a member of the Bald Eagle football team and graduated with a degree in sport administration. He also received a master's degree from Lake Erie College in Ohio.
"I came to LHU to play football, but as much as I enjoyed hitting people on the field, I also really enjoyed helping people off the field," Diawara said. "One of my coaches got me involved with the Black Student Union and before I knew it, I was the vice president of the Multicultural Advisory Council (MAC)."
In his spare time, Diawara now volunteers for the non-profit, Focused Athletics, and also as a football coach at Boys Latin of Philadelphia Charter School.
Weeks earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from LHU. During her time at The Haven, she was president of MAC, as well as LHU's gospel choir. She also participated in the Haven Leadership Program, and other on-campus organizations.
"My time at The Haven through extra-curriculars, internships and campus jobs prepared me tremendously for holistic success that I am forever grateful for," Weeks said.
Weeks now works as a behavioral health technician, while continuing her education in pursuit of a master's degree in clinical psychology from Millersville University (MU), where she also is a graduate assistant dedicating herself to mentoring first-year students.
Wei received a degree in health science from LHU and immediately transitioned to the physician assistant program.
During her undergraduate time at The Haven, she worked for the Center of Excellence and Inclusion, where she said helping to launch the Haven Cupboard was among her greatest accomplishments. She also spent time as the president of MAC and was a member of the TRIO SSS program.
She is set to earn a master's degree from LHU's physician assistant program this spring.
"As I look back on my time in Lock Haven, I am so grateful for all the opportunities that LHU gave me," Wei said. "The community that supported me during undergrad molded me into the future healthcare provider I will soon be, and for that I am eternally grateful and excited to give back to others just as much, and more, as I have received from The Haven.".
Mash received a degree in political science with a minor in history from LHU. She spent time as a student worker for the Center for Excellence and Inclusion, and also served as an orientation leader and mentor for the Haven Leadership Program.
"Through my involvement in clubs and organizations, and the internships offered at LHU, I have been equipped with the tools to not only pursue my passions, but I learned how to implement these passions into being a successful professional in the real world," Mash said.
"I am immensely grateful for the opportunities Lock Haven University provided me," she added. "The doors LHU has opened for me since graduating are why I will continuously choose to give back to LHU."
Mash is a legal assistant for a law firm, and is preparing to enter law school.
