Bethune-Cookman students join volunteers from The Home Depot to enhance Daytona campus

Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·1 min read

Bethune-Cookman University students put down their books Thursday to instead wield tools and paint brushes.

The historically Black school had an on-campus service day to use a $60,000 grant it received from The Home Depot's "Retool Your School" program. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and other school friends joined with Home Depot volunteers to take on several projects to improve the campus.

Volunteers from The Home Depot and Bethune-Cookman students were among those who worked Thursday to improve their campus using a $60,000 "Retool Your School" grant.
Volunteers from The Home Depot and Bethune-Cookman students were among those who worked Thursday to improve their campus using a $60,000 "Retool Your School" grant.

They assembled bookcases and indoor-outdoor dining sets, built arcade, foosball, basketball, hockey and table tennis games for student lounges and stripped and painted a basketball court, according to a university news release.

"These enhancements will help create more vibrant and engaging spaces for our students to retreat on campus for a brain break or find inspiration through the downtime," said William Berry, provost and acting president.

And one of B-CU's champions for the Retool Your School award, Sean Lyn, was singled out by The Home Depot as one of three alumni who are now employed by their HBCU and have demonstrated impact, community building and legacy by their work over multiple years with the program.

Bethune-Cookman students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered Thursday for an on-campus service day after the school placed fourth in Home Depot's "Retool Your School" competition, earning a $60,000 grant for campus improvements, such as assembling bookcases and indoor-outdoor dining sets, building games for student lounges and stripping and painting the basketball court.

“There are so many unsung heroes behind the scenes that make (Retool Your School) possible, and we want to bring a few to your attention and honor them as a Retool Your School legacy honoree,” said Tiffany Mitsui, senior manager of multicultural marketing at The Home Depot.

Lyn is Bethune-Cookman's director of HR information systems and was formerly the director of alumni affairs.

Giving Back: Bethune-Cookman senior donates $1K to Boys & Girls Club through Cricket Wireless

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: B-CU wins $60K Home Depot grant, puts students, volunteers to work