Carson-Newman embraces service during annual Operation Inasmuch

^{More than 500 of Carson-Newman University’s students, faculty and staff give a “talons up” Saturday morning, just prior to traveling to sites in five counties for the annual Operation Inasmuch day of service. President and First Lady Charles A. and Sandra Fowler are at center front.}

(Nov. 11, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, TN — More than 500 students, faculty and staff from Carson-Newman University exhibited the love of Christ for their communities during the University’s annual Operation Inasmuch day of service.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, student volunteers canvassed more than 35 service sites in Jefferson, Knox, Hamblen, Grainger and Cocke counties. Projects included installing a sensory walk path at an elementary school, building an accessibility ramp, assisting poverty-reduction programs, cleaning fire engines, landscaping at a shelter, preparing medical supplies for a Haitian hospital and much more.

“For many of our students, Operation Inasmuch is an important first step toward being more involved in the community and region,” said Dr. Matt Bryant Cheney, director of the Bonner Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement. “Carson-Newman tends to attract students who are already service-minded, and this is a great event for them to find ways to be more involved.”

In 2006, Carson-Newman was the first college or university to implement OI. Founded by Dr. David Crocker, OI has since been adopted by organizations across the country.

The program’s name stems from Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says: “Inasmuch as you serve the least of these, you serve me.”

“Scripture makes clear that the way we treat our neighbors is how we treat our savior Jesus, because we are all of us one kinship, created as brothers and sisters in Christ,” Bryant Cheney said.

The University’s Operation Inasmuch is a partnership of the Carson-Newman Bonner Center, Campus Ministries, Student Activities and C-Nvolved.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and has over 2,700 students. Carson-Newman offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.