On Sept. 8, as a part of International Literacy Day, student-athletes from Presbyterian College performed service by reading to third, fourth, and fifth-grade students at Eastside Elementary students in Clinton. In addition, the student-athletes provided Presbyterian College athletic shirts to each of the elementary students as a part of the “One Shirt, One Body” initiative.

“We hope to make a difference in our community and inspire individuals to pursue higher education and any other dreams they may have,” said Dee Nichols, senior associate athletics director for compliance and senior women’s administrator. “The student-athletes are coming together to bring positive change in our community and all over the country.”

Fifty years ago UNESCO officially proclaimed 8 September International Literacy Day to actively mobilize the international community and to promote literacy as an instrument to empower individuals, communities, and societies.

“One Shirt, One Body,” began at PC last year as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiative after Jordan Ashley, former SAAC president, learned about a larger national initiative. Students donate extra athletic shirts to local children to help inspire them to pursue their dreams. The goal is for student-athletes to participate in community service.

“My experience yesterday was amazing,” said Katie Bishop, the current SAAC president. “To see the look on the kids’ faces after giving them a t-shirt and then autographing it was priceless.”

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.