Charter Day is one of the most prevalent days on Waynesburg University’s campus each year. The week of Charter Day started with several different events that connect to Waynesburg’s mission of service. Mary Fox from the Office of Institutional Advancement got in touch with Kelly Hardie, assistant dean of students, to help plan the Day of Service line-up the week before Charter Day.

“Kelly Hardie was working on a spring day of service so it seemed logical to schedule it for the Saturday before Charter Day,” Fox said. “It worked out well with students just returning from spring break. With our University mission being so closely tied to service, it was a really great fit.”

The planning for this event started over a year ago, the day after last year’s Charter Day, said Fox.

“I review everything that took place and make notes on the things that may have not run as smoothly as they should have and how I can correct them for the next year,” Fox said. “Once this review takes place and I make my notes, I typically do not get back into full planning mode until after Homecoming in the fall.”

On Monday, former faculty member Marilyn Roberts was chosen to speak on Charter Day, as part of the b.f. Maiz Lecture Series. Roberts was chosen by Dr. Bob Randolph, chairperson of the English and Foreign Languages Department, to bring perspective to current students, according to Fox.

“Marilyn Roberts is one of four faculty members receiving emeriti status in the convocation on Tuesday,” said Fox. “It is wonderful to have our retired faculty return to campus and share their knowledge with our current students.”

March 17 was Waynesburg’s Day of Service. Unlike in previous years, the Day of Service lined up with Charter Day week. Other events that took place included organizing birthday gifts for children of homeless families, working behind Thayer Hall on the nature trail, working with the Greene County Humane Society, and an Out of Darkness Walk, organized in coordination with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The walk was put together by Briana Ryan, junior music ministry and arts administration major and Bonner Scholar.

“She thought that this would be a really good way to connect college students in the community with that event. This event, the Out of the Darkness Walk, is a hosted at universities throughout the United States,” Hardie said. “This will be the first time that’s ever been conducted here on campus.”

The Paul R. Stewart Museum was also opened in conjunction with Charter Day to help celebrate the history of Waynesburg University.

The museum is open throughout the year. But for Charter Day, new exhibitions were displayed. The new expeditions focus on the university’s new mission, “Grow,” said Courtney Dennis, associate director of the Paul R. Stewart Museum.

“We decided to do this year’s celebration of our founding as a time to remember our history and our heritage,” Dennis said.

Fox views Charter Day as an opportunity to look back at all that has been accomplished over the course of history in Waynesburg. It’s also an opportunity to look at the accomplishments of the student body.

“Students, while working on their degree and later when joining our alumni family, are all a part of the history of this great place,” Fox said. “We are not celebrating a physical place on the map; we are celebrating the mission and the people that have made Waynesburg University special from 1849 to today.”

When it came to the famous Charter Day chicken, Fox had no doubt the chicken would be excellent.

“I cannot say enough about Aladdin Food Service. Lesley Davis and her staff put a lot of time into making sure this event is wonderful for everyone, from our special guests to faculty, staff and students,” Fox said. “I work very closely with our dining service and appreciate everything they do for this event and all others [who] had a hand in.”