Two Genesee County 67th District-Fifth (Flint) Division judges who are both graduates of Ohio State University greeted and assisted OSU students when they delivered water for Flint residents last month. Judges Herman Marable Jr. and William Crawford II were present when students, faculty, and staff from the OSU College of Social Work delivered a truckload of donated bottled water to Catholic Charities in Flint on March 16. OSU students collected donations of money and water in February and March on all Ohio State University campuses to assist with the Flint Water Crisis.
The idea for a student sponsored water drive came from Terrahl Del Taylor, a social work student in the master's program. In explaining his motivation for organizing the water drive Taylor told the OSU Student Spotlight, a campus publication, "I wanted to do this because I think every single person needs to have clean, healthy water. Every day, I take having clean water to drink and bathe in for granted," said Taylor. "When I heard about the water crisis I started to think about how much I rely on water daily and I knew how much it would mean to them to have additional help."
Crawford who earned bachelor and law degrees from OSU thanked and commended the students for their donation. Marable, who also earned his law degree from OSU assisted in unloading the truck. Marable said, "I am so proud and of my alma mater and thankful for these students concern for what is going on here in Flint. They showed up in person; they really exemplify Buckeye excellence."
Some might find it noteworthy that the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry was set aside for the student water drive. The significance of Buckeyes helping the Wolverines isn't lost on the students either. Taylor told the Spotlight "I also thought that coming from students at a rival university would help encourage a culture of connectedness."
In explaining why it was important for the OSU alumni judges to be present for the donated water delivery, Marable joked "U of M is practically across the street from Catholic Charities, somebody had to make sure the Buckeyes got safe passage in and out of town."
Published: Wed, Apr 13, 2016
