Emory celebrates kindness in action with World Kindness Day

By John Baker Brown Jr. Nov. 14, 2024

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

A shirt that says a small act of kindness can make a big difference

Hosted by Campus Life, Emory students celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, which included lunch and fun activities.

With its World Kindness Day Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Campus Life sought to recognize kindness in action — no matter how big or small the act. The celebration, hosted in the Emory Student Center (ESC) North Tower lounge, included lunch, activities and recognition for students who had been “caught” in acts of kindness earlier in the week. By the time the event began, hundreds of students were filling the lounge.

Earlier that week, the Campus Life team and student affairs staff from the schools were on the alert to recognize random acts of kindness by Emory students around campus. Students whose kindness was witnessed were awarded “kindness coins” to trade in for prizes at the Wednesday event, including stuffed Swoop Emory Eagles and Kindness Day shirts.

On Wednesday, all students still had opportunities to earn coins by participating in kindness activities at the ESC. For one activity, students assembled more than 500 care packages for families temporarily residing at the nearby nonprofit Ronald McDonald House. Laundry packages contained soap and related items, while activity packages included cocoa mix, microwaveable popcorn and assorted fun items for children.

Another activity provided small cards with various preprinted words of inspiration. Students were invited to write their own messages of kindness on the back of the cards to share later with a friend or stranger. Students also painted small rocks with creative designs and expressions of kindness to share with others or to keep as a reminder to be kind.

Students participating in the Wednesday event applauded the celebration of kindness toward others and described how the event impacted themselves.

Bria Williams, who is working toward a doctor of physical therapy and an MBA, sees personal growth as a benefit of participating in the celebration. “This event encourages me to be more kind by having more patience with others, to give them more grace and gratitude.”

Martin Gravely, an MBA student, sees the experience impacting his everyday life. “The celebration put kindness at the forefront of my mind. Going forward, I’ll add an act of kindness to my daily to-do list to remind me to act and not just think about acting on kindness.”

For student Alfonso Piñon-Rodriguez, the celebration provided a needed break from routine, an exercise in kindness to self. “I have two midterms next week. This event uplifted my spirits. I have spent some time with my friends and had nothing to worry about.”

Kristina K. Bethea Odejimi, dean of students and Campus Life’s associate vice president for belonging, engagement and community, defines kindness as being friendly, generous and considerate. She explains that expressions of kindness can enhance emotional well-being by reducing stress, spreading optimism and boosting confidence and self-esteem — for both the giver and receiver, which helps all to flourish.

“I am proud to see Emory students and other members of our university community routinely practicing acts of kindness every day by sharing compassion, empathy and support for others. We should always be alert for opportunities to give the gift of kindness while not forgetting to be kind to ourselves,” Odejimi says.

“Sometimes even the smallest act of kindness — a smile or just holding a door open — can make a real difference in someone’s day. Your act might inspire a chain of paying kindness forward,” she says. “I hope our World Kindness Day celebration encourages us all to practice kindness ever more often on our campus and wherever we are in the weeks, months and years ahead.”

There are countless ways to spread kindness throughout our university community. You can begin with small things you can do in your circle; they add up. Here are a few examples:

Tell your family and friends how much you love and appreciate them.
Text or call a friend you have not connected with in a while.
Give kudos and praise to someone who deserves it.
Grab coffee with someone and listen to how they are doing.
Have a conversation with a classmate you do not normally talk with.
Consider whether your social media messages might impact others — and post a message that encourages someone.
Pause in your routine to check in with yourself, how you are feeling and what you need.
Be kind to yourself by doing something you enjoy.
Reflect on all you have accomplished this semester; remember little things count too.
Remember to share your stories of kindness by using #EagleKindness and tagging @EmoryCampusLife.

Photos by Kay Hinton, Emory Photo/Video

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