Cassie Carter from Ashland University Volunteered in Mississippi Over Spring Break

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ASHLAND, OH (03/29/2011)(readMedia)-- Cassie Carter of Frankfort, Indiana, graduated from Ashland University in May 2010 but was a part of the Religion and the Civil Rights Movement class while at AU. She spent her Spring Break in Jackson, Mississippi, along with six other AU students, working and learning about race, religion, civil rights, and reconciliation.

Carter is the daughter of Jeffery and Kathryn Carter and graduated with a BA in speech communication.

"This trip not only broadened my view of Civil Rights, Religion, and poverty but it has also been instrumental in helping me implement new Civil Rights curriculum into the school at which I teach," said Carter.

Travelling with Dr. Peter Slade their religion professor, Gingery along with the other AU students, volunteered with Voice of Calvary (VOC) Ministries rehabilitating houses. VOC was started in the 1960s by John Perkins and continues to be one of the leading examples of Christian community development and racial reconciliation in the United States.

Over the last forty years thousands of volunteers have been trained and inspired at VOC to return to their own communities and churches and work for change. The AU students are participated and learned from this influential organization.

"This opportunity was priceless to me and I would recommend the class and the trip to anyone," said Carter.

In addition to working with VOC, the students also visited civil rights sights including the Lorraine Motel in Memphis that is now the National Civil Rights Museum, and Medgar Evers house in Jackson. They met with veterans of the civil rights movement and present day activists.

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private institution conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.