Campus-wide discussions on character education promoted through Community Day

The Roanoke College community recently set out to explore campus and our institution’s character through a series of roundtable discussions and a fun scavenger hunt.

The events during “Community Day: Maroons on a Mission” were part of the college’s yearlong exploration of character education through a special grant from the Educating Character Initiative, a project of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University. The grants support institutions that are developing new ways to elevate character, ethics and leadership within the student experience.

Faculty and staff gathered in Wortmann Ballroom for group discussions on how the college defines character and how it can incorporate the principles of character into all aspects of campus life. Thoughts and ideas gathered from these conversations will help shape the college's framework for character education.

Additionally, teams of students, as well as teams of faculty and staff, participated in “Goosechase,” a scavenger hunt that required them to complete various character-themed tasks around campus. Teams received points for the tasks they finished, like dropping off donations at the college’s food pantry or finding Rooney for a quick dance break, and the teams with the most points received special prizes during an all-campus celebration that afternoon.

Exploration of purpose and the pursuit of character are foundational values of “Imagine Roanoke,” the college’s strategic plan. Thank you to all the wonderful Maroons who participated in Community Day, and thank you to the Educating Character Initiative team for putting together this fun and meaningful event!