By Sara Karnish, Penn State Berks
Pictured above: Two faculty members and three students were honored at the Martin Luther King Jr. award ceremony. From left to right are faculty members Selvi Jagadesan and Janelle Larson, and students Kayla Fenwick, Kelvin Garcia-Bonilla, and Samayun Mohammad Uday. Photo courtesy of Samantha Bower
Penn State Berks honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with on- and off-campus service projects and an award dinner, held during the late civil rights leader’s birthday week.
Students complete service projects on campus and within the community
While students did not have class on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, they participated in an on-campus service project. The Penn State Berks Sustainability Council coordinated the project, which focused on removing invasive plants. Participants learned how to identify several common species of invasive plants, how to remove them, and what to plant instead. The group then spent several hours removing the various invasive plants they found. The day included learning about the connection between Dr. King and service and concluded with pizza and fellowship. Jayne Park-Martinez, assistant teaching professor of science and coordinator of research, planning, and assessment, led the project.
The event was made possible with support from Berks County Parks and Recreation, who lent the organization tools and expert staff from the adjacent Gring’s Mill Recreation Area to aid in the invasive plant removal.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, students volunteered at Helping Harvest Food Bank in Berks County. Volunteers assisted with packing boxes with various shelf-stable food items, which will be distributed to the local pantries and agencies that work with the food bank. This service event was sponsored by the Student Engagement and Leadership Office.
Students and faculty honored at award ceremony
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Penn State Berks hosted an uplifting night of celebrating Dr. King that featured dinner, a performance by the Berks step team, and a keynote address from Gretchel Hathaway, first vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Franklin & Marshall College, student performances, and the recognition of two faculty members and three students for their leadership, community service and social justice advocacy.
Selvi Jagadesan, associate professor of mathematics, was one of the faculty award winners. Her nominator wrote: “Selvi actively serves both campus and community … Selvi advocates for equity and inclusion through initiatives like International Klub, creating a welcoming space for international students and promoting cultural exchange. She champions gender equity in STEM via the Careers with Math Options Conference, encouraging girls to explore underrepresented fields. Her ‘PEERS and Prof Help Sessions’ reduce barriers to academic success, ensuring all students have access to supportive learning environments.”
Janelle Larson, professor of agricultural economics and division head for engineering, business, and computing, was the second faculty award winner. Her nominator wrote: “Dr. Larson’s record of community service reflects a deep, sustained commitment to improving lives locally, nationally, and globally through education, engagement, and empowerment. Dr. Larson’s community service extends well beyond campus into Berks County. Since 2010, she has led a long-standing partnership with the Children and Youth Empowerment Centre in Kenya, working with highly vulnerable youth through an embedded, service-learning course. Her career not only reflects a commitment to social justice, but a proven ability to translate that commitment into meaningful, lasting impact.”
Student award winners were Kayla Fenwick, Kelvin Garcia-Bonilla, and Samayun Mohammad Uday.
Fenwick, a senior business major, is a resident assistant and co-president of Black Student Union (BSU). Her nominator wrote: “As a resident assistant, Kayla continues to put service into action. She is always willing to give her time and resources to help her residents succeed and approaches every situation with composure, empathy, and confidence … Kayla is deeply committed to social justice and works actively to promote equity and inclusion on campus. Through her involvement with the BSU, she advocates for the voices and experiences of marginalized students, helping create programs and discussions that educate the broader campus community.”
Garcia-Bonilla is a senior kinesiology major and has been active in several THON initiatives, including serving as special events executive for Berks Benefitting THON, where he helped organize the annual Inspire the Night benefit dinner, which raised over $15,000. He has also participated as a 2025 THON dancer. Additionally, he volunteers with ProBerco, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His nominator wrote: “Throughout his time at Penn State Berks, Kelvin has exemplified Dr. King’s core values of service, leadership, and a commitment to justice and community empowerment.”
Uday is a junior psychology major. His nominator wrote, “Samayun is an international mentor who works closely with international students throughout the year to support both their academic success and personal well-being. As an international student himself, Samayun is uniquely positioned to understand their challenges and assist them with navigating campus life, adjusting to new surroundings, and becoming comfortable with American culture so they can truly feel at home.” Uday is involved in the Penn State Berks International Klub, and as president of the art and photography club, Uday organized a campus-wide event that showcased the artistic talents of Penn State Berks students and faculty.
The celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. event was sponsored by the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, and the Student Initiated Fee.
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