Breadcrumb
Kappa Delta Pi Seeks Support for Campus Cupboard Through T-shirt Sales
By Jeff Murphy, October 21, 2020
Roger Best, center, University of Central Missouri president, joins faculty, staff
and students in the College of Education in wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words
“UCM Strong” and “We Are All In This Together” as part of a fundraising effort by
the campus chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), international education honor society,
to assist the Campus Cupboard and the KDP freshman student mentoring program. Joining
Best were, from left, Jill Larsen, COE office professional; Julie Hentges, professor
of education and KDP advisor; Emma Boessen, KDP student president and junior early
childhood education major, and Robert Lee, COE dean.
WARRENSBURG, MO – While red is one of the University of Central Missouri school colors,
faculty, staff and students in the College of Education recently got an extra dose
of this warm hue as they purchased and wore T-shirts in support of Kappa Delta Pi
education honor society’s efforts to assist the Campus Cupboard and to benefit the
KDP freshman student mentoring program.
Red T-shirts that included in bold white letters the words “UCM Strong” on the front
and “We Are All In This Together” on the back were created by the student group as
a way to raise money to help purchase much–needed food and personal care items for
the Campus Cupboard, which is dedicated to alleviating hunger and financial burdens
for the UCM community.
“I think that if we are able and capable of providing assistance to people who can’t
or don’t have the opportunities, we need to help them in any way we can,” said Emma
Boessen, a UCM junior early childhood education major from St. Thomas who serves as
KDP president.
Boessen and other KDP members have been working with Julie Hentges, a professor of education who serves as the group’s faculty advisor, to help coordinate special events to help sell the shirts and to spread the positive messages that are emblazoned on both sides. Such efforts included on Oct. 20 the UCM Strong Faculty and Staff Dress Down Day in which members of the college dean’s office and others in COE got to take advantage of a special casual wear day for those who either purchased a T-shirt for $15 or provided a $5 donation in support of the KDP philanthropic efforts.
The campus Cupboard was founded in 2013, and because of the ongoing pandemic, contributions of food and financial support are essential to meet the local need. Since July 1, the Campus Cupboard has received 1,867 student visits, according to Beth Rutt, director of student activities who oversees the facility’s operations.
Students or university employees in need can visit the Campus Cupboard 3:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
Hentges said T-shirt sales are ongoing, and anyone who wants to purchase one is encouraged to do so by contacting her at hentges@ucmo.edu.
According to the Kappa Delta Pi website, it is an international honor society that was established in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among individuals who are dedicated to teaching. More than 1.2 million individuals belong to the organization. This includes students at UCM who provide opportunities such as mentoring and community service projects for its membership to help students succeed in their education and to grow as future teaching professionals.
