KT Global 2021 Wrap-up

Picked up litter in the neighborhood park

Leader: Hayata Akashi ‘86

Volunteers: Ryuto Akashi and Yoko Akashi

“So happy to connect with the College again after 34 years!” — Hayata Akashi

Cared for dogs and cats at the shelters

Leader: Chelsea Barker ’10

“Happy to create something in the Denver area if there are alumni to connect to!” – Chelsea Barker ‘10 

Made meals-to-go for individuals in need

Leader: Jim Cummings ‘56

“It is the first time that I made a meal for nine people.  The food — chicken, rice, and green beans — is put in nine divided containers and frozen. It is kept at the church and given to needed people.  Each container contains enough food for two meals.” – Jim Cummings ‘56

Helped to prepare the grounds and buildings for the summer camps.

Leader: Paul Reiter ’69

Volunteers: Robert Shumski ’76, Judith Smith, Andrea Reiter, Earl Smith

“We had a delightful time at Cedarkirk during our KT Global Event, and I was happy to get one alum reconnected to MC and hopefully to the Florida Reunion next year.” – Paul Reiter ‘69

Spread mulch on park building grounds

Leaders: Elaina Davis ‘19 and Wesley Bloeme ‘17

Volunteers: Charles Tshiko ’94, Nannette Enloe ’52, RicRodney Ruffner ’75,  Jordan Stafford ’21 and Carlito

“It was a lot of mulch, a lot of spreading and shoveling, but also a lot of fun.” –Elaina Davis ‘19

Spring cleaning of monument grounds

Leader: Beverly Ash-Larson ’69

Volunteers: Drew Clower ’13, Dean Clark, Ralph Larson

“We had a very good time visiting before, during, and after the cleanup event.” – Beverly Ash-Larson ’69

Raised $430 for volunteers to prepare and serve dinner for 45 residents at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana in Louisville.

Leader: Maria Cole Galyon ’89

Volunteers: Roger Coates, Dona Coates ’60, Helen Ryan Sarver ’66, Barbara Bolt ’89, Amy Lucas Brown ’89, Elias Daly, Amy Daly, Tim Gaylon, Lori Brown Pressley ’04, Missy McMillan, Gina Emmett Jeffries ’89, Laura Brock Lynch ’89, Marcia Kilby Rethwilm ’89, Angie Harris

“Thank you to the volunteers and donors that made this possible!” – Maria Cole Galyon ’89

Garbage cleanup.

Leader: Christin Marshall ’07

Volunteers: Paris Wilson-Palmer ’13, Corbin Palmer, Ben Taylor ’06, Ellen Gage, Laura Hickman, Doug Guey Lee, Liz Novak

“We enjoyed the event and are hoping to replicate in some way next year.” About half of the garbage consisted of Dr. McGillicutty’s glass bottles, Fireball nips and White Claw cans. One of the group’s volunteers described the collection as ‘Cape Cod in a bag.’

Planted trees for neighborhood association

Leaders: Edgar Smith ‘60 and Cheryl Gould Smith ‘60

“It was fun being with neighbors, and we hope to do more soon.” – Cheryl Gould Smith ’60 

Weeding the flower beds and planting

Leaders: George Poland ‘61 and Carol Greenwood Poland ‘62

“Carol and I are volunteer gardeners for the St Louis County Park District. We specifically work at Faust Park in its garden areas. We also work in other areas as needed. We love working there.” – George Poland ’61 

Organized an effort to address a significant need for receiving blankets for refugee newborns.

Leader: Lynn Coburn ’71  

Volunteers: Michael Barrows ’71, Astrid Peelle Browning ’71, Alice Beth Cook Royce ’71

“Michael and I delivered blankets, as well as dignity kits, food, infant formula and other supplies to El Paso, Texas for distribution to the more than 25,000 of refugees across the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.” – Lynn Coburn ’71  

Participated in community service projects at the Mianus River Gorge with Girl Troop 301 with Boy Scouts of America.

Leader: Diana “Dinni” Drake Behan ’69

Volunteers: Hannah Behan

Led a shoe drive for a local non-profit that provides case management and outreach services. Collected several hundred pairs of shoes for donation to Runningworks on behalf of folks facing poverty and homelessness in our area.

Leader: Mike Weiss ‘82

“We had a very successful effort in Charlotte for KT Global. Some of my athletes will be bagging, organizing, and delivering them.”  – Mike Weiss ‘82

Helped to clean the shelter grounds.

Leader: Wendy Stokes ‘89

Volunteers: Janet Helwig Fortney ‘82

“I loved getting to tour the Adoption Center and learn all about what is done there!” – Janet Helwig Fortney ‘82

Prepped camp crafts and supplies for both in-person and camp kit programs. Organized materials, and overall getting things ready for summer camp.

Leaders: Whitney Pruitt Winston ’10 and Haleigh Smith Davis ’18

Volunteers: Rachel Lynn Massey ’14, Andrew Schussler, Danaya Rudolph ’19, Neredia Djassi ’24, Anna Gaultney, Nick Winston ’11, Matthew Davis, Sabrina Nicole Shelton, Trula Jones Blackmon, Robyn Randolph, Nélida Miranda Djassi ’24, Christopher “CJ” Bryson ’22

Helped to organize items by type, size and color at the store

Leader: Suzy Booker

Volunteers: Bryan Coker, Andrew Coker, Chris Coker, Dan Klingensmith, Jenifer Greene, Christy McDonald Slavick, Patrick Slavick, Diana Canacaris, Carol Clark, Makayla Nance ’22, Marsha Wynn

Made updates to an apartment building that supports some of the families served by Family Promise.

Leader: Caroline Maynard Lamar

Volunteers: Sue van Aken ’83, Michael Rethwilm ’89, Henry Marambio ’89, Albrianna Jenkins ’18

“I needed the diversion, the time with fellow alums, and serving others. I went home with a feeling of accomplishment and peace…my Mom had known about KT Global and my planned involvement…she was a huge supporter of MC, and I’m sure she was watching over us, with a smile, as we worked!” – Sue van Aken ’83

Litter pick up on forest trails

Leader: Isabella Moody ’19

Helped to set up, sell, and teardown at the fundraiser benefiting Shepherd of Hope Food Pantry.  

Leader: Dan Greaser ‘60 

Volunteers: Shirley Greaser, Dawn Zilles, Mason Warren ‘19

Cleaned up the shared boat landing in his neighborhood

Leader: Wilburn Rufus Bowers ’60

Picked up litter in Cades Cove and on the 5-mile Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Leader: William “Dub” Osborne ‘70

Volunteers: Rick Ziegler ’70, Jeff Coghill ’70, Bob “Bubba” Macy ’70, Sallie Macy ’70, Lori Zerick ’81, Lisa Young Chapman ’82, Alan Davis ’87, Ann Little Rigell ’69, Craig Rigell, Art  Hafner ‘72, Tom  Walker ‘81, Patrick Osborne, Jessica Osborne, Marilyn Osborne, Louis Osborne

Weeded and planted veggies from the greenhouse to the beds

Leader: Kathleen Copeland ’69

Volunteers: Jim Mays ’55, Patrick Dalton ’12, Art Masker ’69, Martha “Marti” Masker ’72, Kimberly Henderson Cave ’06, Rhiannon Campbell Williams ’18, Cicely Babb ’15

Planted two apple trees, weeded, landscaped beds, pulled out, cleaned and spray -painted the pots and urns in storage.

Leader: Kathleen Copeland ‘69

Volunteers: Jim Mays ’55, Patrick Dalton ’12, Lana Linebarger ’19, Art Masker ’69, Martha “Marti” Masker ’72, Kimberly Henderson Cave ’06, Rhiannon Campbell Williams ’18, Christian Black ’15

Worked on building a pollinator garden on the school grounds

Leaders: Courtney Washburn Bean ’10 and Christina Eastridge Idlette ’11

Volunteers: Wesley Idlette ’12, Adam Bean ’10, Sam McCord ’10, Kayla McCord, Steve Wintermute ’68, Janice Wintermute, Lacey Hughes, Jeremy Hughes, Hannah Hughes, Neil Brown, Hunter Smith, Jen DeSilvey, Virginia Marshall, Chris Brown, Jared Smith

“I am proud to be a Maryville alum and help carry on the College’s spirit of service while investing in this community that I love.” – Sam McCord ‘10

Members of the Chilhowee Park Neighborhood Association cleaned up approximately three miles of residential streets in the community on the afternoon of Earth Day. 

Leader: Stephani McCarty ‘10

Volunteers: Jasmin Lee, Jane Ellen Brabson and other volunteers from Keep Knoxville Beautiful and Zoo Knoxville.

Washed vases, cleaned workshop, assembled flowers and prepared food for flowers

Leader: Marcia Kilby Rethwilm ‘89

Volunteers: Lynn Smith Purcell ‘89, Tammy Taylor Blaine ‘89, Tammy Long Rule ‘89, Becky Shackelford Marambio ‘90, Teresa Petitt Smith ‘88, Louise Ogden Wyman ’57, Jeana Webb Gass ’83, Rebecca Miller ’91, Alida McArthur Graves ’69

“Thank you and your Maryville alum cohorts for your time here. We are all appreciative of your help; and, please know, what you and your group did for us was very helpful, as we always need clean vases, a clean workshop, and powdered flower food to put into the water we use in our arrangements.” – Mick Reed, executive director of RAF

As part of KT WeekEND, alumni and students created a mural, based on Amanda Gorman’s poem, The Hill We Climb, for installation at Austin East Magnet High School. The mural was intended to send a message of love, support and healing for the Austin East community, which has experienced several tragedies this year.

Leader: Dr. Rebecca Lucas, associate professor education at MC

Volunteers: Martina Junod ’21, LeSean “Seanny” Brannon ’11, Kristopher Seiber ’23, Alejandra Yanez ’22, Alexis Brown ’23, Sarah Taylor Yeaple ’08, Chloe Melton ’21, Alexa Maqueo ’22, Joshua Woods ’22

“The mural, I think, for a lot of kids – no matter their race, where they are from, or how old they are – can see that this poet is doing amazing things and changing the world. I hope this mural helps them see that no matter who you are, you also have the power to change the world, even if it’s just through your words.” – Joshua Woods ‘22

Helped to create a new garden space and plant vegetables for individuals who are struggling to put food on the table.

Leader: Carol Villaverde ‘00

Volunteers filled 100 Happy Bags, filled with pre-packaged snacks, masks, hand-written notes, and other treats benefitted Haven House and Family Promise families.

Leader: Rachel Rushworth-Hollander ’08 

Volunteers: included Allison Barker Weaver ’07, Michelle Wilson Bailey ’09 and Alan Davis ’87, Amanda Baker Gillooly ’03 and her Girl Scout Troop; Lori Bowers Zerick ’81 who made cloth masks; Amy Poag Baker ’98 and the Blount United Soccer Club 06; Ibby Shelley Davis ’68, Ibbie Jack Muntz ’67, Carrie Osikowicz Eaton ’67, Kathy Hinger Dorner ’67, Marty Anderson Pryor ’68, Kathleen Farnham

Directed cars and people to proper recycling/repurposing areas to drop off  items for America Recycles Day.

Leader: Brittney Whipple

Volunteers: Angie Harris, Adrienne Schwarte, Hannah Shinall ’20, Maddie Bagci ’20

“As Keep Blount Beautiful (KBB) board members and volunteers, we loved representing Maryville College while sharing our commitment to the mission of KBB.”

Helped the Maryville College Archives make collections more accessible to researchers by transcribing WWI Veterans Cards, created a master list of WW2 veterans , and transcribed the typewritten cards with information about late 18th/early 19th century faculty.

Leaders: Amy Lundell ‘06

Volunteers: Megan Wright Robertson ’19,Ashleigh Oatts ’07, Lindsay Cooper ’01

John Campbell ’70, Ron Blackburn, Stephanie Brantley ’08, Kathy Dorner ’67, Kelley Weatherly-Sinclair ’13, Tiffany Estes ’07, Laura Dance Lundell ’76, Dave Styles ’63, Sara Corso; Ramona Crawford ’07, Rebekah Carpenter ’10, Kathie Hill ’12

Built benches for Crawford House, built trusses for a roof on the spring house in the College Woods, established a pollination garden at Crawford House, picked up trash in the College Woods, and pruned encroaching limbs on the trails.

Leader: Amy Gilliland

Volunteers: Justice Williams ’24, Jerry Simmerly ’24, Drew Crain, Elaina Hudolin ’23, José Hernández ’22, Bettye Taylor ’23, Jacorey Jackson ’21, Chandler Godfrey ’23, Tiara Kemp ’22, Reagan Monday 22, Felix Uadiale ’23, Samantha Paige Stacy ’23, Madeline Zawisza ’21

“The College Woods are a vital educational and recreational resource on our campus, and we need to always be working as stewards of this resource.” – Dr. Drew Crain, MC professor of biology

Residents pooled funds to provide a picnic table and benches for the Community Building on Maryville’s Shannondale campus.

Leaders: Carol Rugh Green ’64 and Rebecca Orange Hill Dwarshuis ’93

Volunteers: Ruth Humes Folta ’51, Dixie Lea Petrey, Martin Sokoloski, Kari Gregory Oliver ’92, Carol Pusey LaForce ’67, Ann Prewett Harris, William “Bill” Dent ’57, Olivia Vawter Mills ’55, Kittie Ponder,Martha Lee Hess ’67, Carol Fraser Kincheloe ’54, June Gerhard

Assorted and organized food at the warehouse.

Leader: Ashley Webb West ‘15

Volunteers: Alayne Bowman, Holland Bowman, Melanie Croft, Ryan Poole, Catherine Jahns, Cheyenne Croft ’19, Lisa Vitale , Jolee Vitale, Arianna Hill

Volunteers said they really “enjoyed serving others, spending time together as a team and learning more about the mission of Second Harvest.” 

Prepared 300 hot meals for anyone in the community who is in need, including boxing and delivery.

Leaders: Judy Pike Woods ’71 and Liz Walton Blackburn ’58

Volunteers: Marissa Nelson ‘23

“We are lucky to have students from the College, especially Bonner scholars, that help with the cooking and cleanup.” – Liz Blackburn ‘58

Planted fruit trees in the community orchard; weeded and mulched flower beds; assembled kites and restocked/distributed picnic supplies for Kite Fest visitors.

Leader: Lindsay Laughner Sexton ’05

Volunteers: Byjan Kajaei ’18, Jennifer Phillips Triplett ’07, Aaron Triplett ’07, Ellison Berryhill ’12, Margaret “Megan” Lock ’12, Morgan Hawk ’12, Joy West Brassfield ’11

“We all had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and worked hard! We think we would like to partner with them for future events, volunteer projects, and KT Days.” – Lindsay Laughner Sexton ‘05

Cleaned the gym floor to prepare for renovation of the old high school into the South Cumberland Learning and Development Center

Leader: Chasity Melton ’14

Volunteer: Jessica Cunningham Vail ’14

“We had fun in the dust before we cleaned it!” – Chasity Melon ‘14

Collected litter along the water’s edge at Anacostia Park.

Leader: Robbie Champion ‘09

“The experience was therapeutic and rewarding.” – Robbie Champion ‘09