USCA graduate earns Human Civil Rights Award
Recent USC Aiken graduate, Hannah Jameson, was awarded a human and civil rights award along with one other student from Aiken Technical College and a member of the Aiken community, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Each year, the two colleges hold nominations by the students and determine the three winners based on the criteria below:
Nominees for the award must aim to “protect and advance the human and civil rights of students on campus” or has helped protect and/or advance the human and civil rights of the Aiken County community
Work to build inclusive projects and partnerships alongside students and faculty on campus or in area schools to promote the values of “diversity, inclusion and belonging.”
Be active with a service organization on campus or within the Aiken community
Have worked on or participated in a community or college project that promotes the values of inclusion and diversity.
Jameson, who studied secondary education, has hosted students from India in the Leadership Exchange program and her undergraduate research consisted of recognizing African-American culture in the educational community. As for being an active member of the community, Jameson hosted and presented a discussion on the prejudice and racism that exists in the school system, prompting attendees to confront the flaws in the system as well as urging them to promote inclusion.
Fellow classmates noted that Jameson is a “giving” and “kind” person, and possesses a drive to create a “loving environment” for all.
“The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and I are excited about recognizing the contributions of the community and students from Aiken Tech and USC Aiken for their humanitarian efforts,” said Chairperson Stephanie Franklin. “It’s [a] great way to say thank you to those unsung champions for change.”
Hannah Jameson not only advocates for the community in Aiken and the education system, but also has participated in outreach programs out of the country.
The theme of the event was inspired by Martin Luther King’s quote: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve … you only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
Fellow education major and friend of Jameson, Lindsey Calhoun said, “Everything she does is in for service to others.”
