Kaitlyn Lewis, News Editor
Christopher “Crash” Clark of WXIA-TV surprised KSU professors Hillary Steiner and Jeannie Beard with a “Random Acts of Kindness” award on 11Alive News April 25.
Psychology Professor Dr. Steiner and English Professor Beard encouraged their first year students to engage in “random acts of kindness” as apart of their Pursuit of Happiness learning community Spring semester. Clark awarded each professor with a $50 Belk gift card, $100 gift card to Spa Sydell and a $150 VISA gift card.
“It was a huge surprise!” said Dr. Steiner. Dr. Steiner and professor Beard thought they were just filming their class the day they were awarded. “We did not expect to receive anything ourselves. It felt great, but the credit really goes to the great group of students we had in our learning community. They went above and beyond to spread happiness to others,” said Dr. Steiner.
Dr. Steiner and Professor Beard encouraged their students to participate in “random acts of kindness,” living by the “pay it forward” motto. Students shared their “random acts of kindness” stories on a Facebook page created for the learning community. In some instances, students paid to fill up a stranger’s gas tank, contributed to the campus food bank and fed the homeless.
“I love knowing that I have helped a student learn skills that will take them through the rest of their academic career and beyond,” said Dr. Steiner.
