HWS News
15 January 2024 • Service • ic HWS Joins MLK March
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bill Woodson and Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement The Rev. Nita Byrd offered remarks during Geneva’s march and memorial service in commemoration of the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Hobart and William Smith students, faculty and staff joined Geneva residents for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March and Memorial Service on Monday, Jan. 15. Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement The Rev. Nita Byrd spoke at the march followed by Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bill Woodson, who was the keynote speaker for the worship service. Organized by the Geneva MLK Jr. Committee, the event honors and celebrates Dr. King’s legacy annually.
MLK March and Memorial Service
President of the Geneva NAACP Lucile Mallard L.H.D. ’15 speaks at Bicentennial Park in Geneva during the Martin Luther King Jr. March and Memorial Service.
Participants march from Bicentennial Park in Geneva to City Hall.
Charles McCadd-France and Associate Director for Disability Services Shanelle France ’11 walk to City Hall.
Vice President and General Counsel Lou Guard ’07 and HWS Trustee Dr. Kirra Guard '08, MAT '09 walk to City Hall.
Director for the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Katie Flowers and AmeriCorps volunteers James Anderson ’23 and Jonathan Garcia ’23 walk to City Hall.
Chaplain and Dean for Spiritual Engagement The Rev. Nita Byrd speaks at City Hall.
Patrisha Blue ’77 of the MLK Memorial Choir sings at Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ in Geneva.
Mary Herlihy Gearan and Kathleen Fuchs of Finger Lakes Community College listen to a student – a winner of the MLK Art and Poetry Contest – recite a poem inside Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bill Woodson delivers the keynote address inside Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ.
Focused on community building, the importance of relationships and helping students explore their personal values, Byrd joined HWS in 2019. She has served in many higher education roles, most recently as Chaplain at St. Augustine's University in North Carolina. Byrd works closely with the Association of Episcopal Colleges and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion.
A passionate champion for bridge building, diversity and inclusion, and liberal arts education, Woodson joined HWS in 2023. He is an experienced academic administrator with a broad background that includes management consulting, public service and two decades in Fortune 500 companies. He previously served at New College of Florida, the state’s designated public honors college.
On Monday, participants congregated at Bicentennial Park on Exchange Street and marched to City Hall. Following the march, the worship service was held at Mt. Calvary Church of God in Christ, 21 Milton St. Music was performed by the MLK Memorial Choir.
Take out meals were served to all attendees after the service.
During the event, the winners of the MLK Art and Poetry Contest were announced. The contest featured the work of local students from grades K-12 whose work was on display. HWS students in the HWS Corps program assisted the participants in their entries.
Through the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, HWS Corps tutors offer one-on-one literacy support, homework help and guidance to students in area schools and programs.
Top: Participants gather at Bicentennial Park in Geneva during the Martin Luther King Jr. March and Memorial Service. Organized by the Geneva MLK Jr. Committee, the event honors and celebrates Dr. King’s legacy annually.
