KT Global Wrap Up
Throughout the month of April 2024, the fourth annual KT Global service event brought together 375 Maryville College alumni and friends from across the country – and globe – in service in their own communities.
Four years ago, members of the Maryville College Alumni Association (MCAA) board, having heard from alums who want to give back but are unable to return to East Tennessee for KT Days each summer, organized a similar effort on a global scale, one that began as a single day of service and now takes place throughout the month of April.
“We are thrilled to see KT Global continue to expand in its fourth year,” said Jennifer Phillips Triplett ’07, director of the MC Office of Alumni Affairs, which organizes KT events alongside the MCAA. “This alumni-driven initiative began as a way to connect alumni, no matter where they live, in this spirit of service we learned from the legacy of Kin Takahashi. It was thrilling to see how service projects happened all month long across the country and globe.”
“After graduation, so many alumni have found their vocation in service, thanks to the influence and their time at Maryville College,” added Melissa Kiewiet ’14, KT Global taskforce co-chair and a leader of the Tri-State Scots alumni chapter in the Northeastern United States. “KT Global is another way to honor that influence by creating positive changes in our own home communities while representing Maryville College.”
The 375 volunteers included MC alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students. There were 40 projects in six countries and volunteers served a record more than 1,700 hours collectively. Projects included litter clean up events, gardening, assistance with the Maryville College Archives, an opportunity to support Maryville College students by stocking the Scots Supplies Closet (a campus resource providing students unrestricted access to clothing, hygiene products and various other items at no cost), and providing homes for foster animals, among others. While many volunteers who participated in previous years returned, new volunteers and new project leaders helped KT Global continue to scale in its fourth year.
“The growth of KT Global is a testament to the commitment of MC alumni. I am so proud of all the great work accomplished in our communities,” said Stephani Richardson McCarty ’10, KT Global taskforce co-chair and leader of the Knox Scots alumni chapter. “It is incredible to feel connected to so many alums in this special way.”
“Meeting our goal of service in six countries demonstrates the geographical reach of that spirit of service that is so important to Maryville College alumni,” added Ashleigh Oatts ’07, KT Global taskforce co-chair. “It’s thanks to the grassroots efforts of the KT Global taskforce and the partnership of the MC Alumni Office we are able to continue growing this initiative.”
Named for Kin Takahashi, a student from Maryville College’s past, KT Days and KT Global celebrate the “can-do” spirit of a student who, during the 1890s, founded the College’s first football team and led a project to build Bartlett Hall on campus. Watch this video to learn more about Kin Takahashi and the legacy of service of the MC community, the led to the creation of KT Global.
Stay tuned for plans for a KT Global volunteer reunion during Homecoming on Saturday, October 26, and watch for plans for 2025, as we celebrate the fifth year of KT Global!
2024 PROJECTS
Maryville College alumni and friends from across the globe plan volunteered their time and talents throughout the month of April! Check out the photos and map below to learn more about all the projects accomplished.
Please email kt.global@maryvillecollege.edu to contact the KT Global taskforce with any feedback on the 2024 event, and to share additional photos and videos of your project.
Check out where in the world KT Global events happened:
To read more about an event, select on the map pinpoint or select the square on the top left of the map to see a listing of the project locations and names. Each description includes the project leader and volunteer names along with accomplishments.
Media Coverage
- The Daily Times, Maryville, TN, April 22, 2024: KT Global has Maryville College alumni volunteering near and far
- Maryville College, April 11, 2024: KT Global 2024, a worldwide initiative by Maryville College alumni to give back to their communities, underway through April