Membership Spotlight - Gordon State College

Students and staff at Gordon State College (GSC) came together on April 17 for the first of the now-inaugural Keep Gordon Beautiful Day, an event focused on investing in the beauty of GSC’s campus.

Volunteers planted flowers and collected litter across campus for the entire morning. Members of the GSC esports program joined other student organizations in the effort, contributing both time and energy to improve their shared space.

“When I first found out about Keep Gordon Beautiful Day, I thought that it'd be the perfect opportunity for my esports students to volunteer and provide a service to the campus. Several students answered the call. While I helped plant flowers near the dorms, they joined the group collecting litter around campus,” said David Grau II, esports coach.

Esports team captain Rosser Jackson said the experience left a lasting impression.

“I was genuinely stoked to be a part of this event. I had lots of fun, and even when the time was up, I wanted to do more! To anyone else, it may have seemed like I was just picking up trash, but to me, it was like giving the campus a new look! I don’t think I’ve ever felt more accomplished than after this event. I definitely recommend that more campuses make a day to keep their grounds clean, too. Not just for looks, but also for the environment. Keep all campuses clean!” Jackson said.

The event emphasized not only aesthetics but also the connection between environment and student success.

“A cleaner campus promotes more active minds,” said Cody Bryant, an esports club member.

Keep Gordon Beautiful Day provided an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to invest in their campus community. The NJCAAE supports initiatives like this that encourage esports student-athletes to stay active and involved beyond competition while making a positive impact in their communities.