By Mitch Holt, Opinion Editor

The Intercollegiate Community Celebration, an annual event that brought together more than 100 Hardin-Simmons University, McMurry University and ACU students together for a day of worship and service, took place Saturday.

Nancy Coburn, director of the Volunteer and Service-learning Center, adviser for Service Action Leadership Team and co-planner of the event, said that the purpose of the day was to build fellowship among Christian college students in Abilene and to give back to the community at the same time.

The day kicked off at City Hall where a McMurry band led worship for the students.

After worship, students split into service groups and performed various tasks around the city, such as neighborhood and private residence clean-ups, odd jobs for businesses and other activities.

ACU played host to a dinner after the day of service, where students and adults discussed the events of the day. The day ended with a celebratory get-together at McMurry.

SALT spearheaded the annual event and was assisted by several faculty members and student volunteers.

“[ICC] was wonderful this year,” said Nikki Nangauta, student organizer and service group leader. “We had the best representation of students from each university that we’ve ever had.”

Mayor Norm Archibald and presidents from each of the universities attended part of the event and were very supportive, Nangauta said.

She said this event strengthened the Christian student community in the city.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other while serving others,” she said. “We get to share in our common values of helping others while serving God.”