#Bekind Movement Sweeps Kean Ocean

By Elaine Amico | Published February 15, 2023

The #Bekind Movement has officially swept the Kean Ocean campus. The movement, a campus-wide initiative, aims to encourage students to be kind to one another on and off campus, by realizing that little acts of kindness go a long way.

While the movement was a team effort, Katie Napoli, assistant director for student services at Kean Ocean, asked her student assistants what being kind meant to them. 

“As a team, we decided to expand upon it, and create fun, engaging events that students could collaborate on and prosper kindness on campus.” Maggie Lambusta, Kean Ocean senior, and student assistant for Kean Ocean campus life said.

The leave a compliment, take a compliment box can be found in the lobby of the Gateway building at Kean Ocean and is sponsored by the #Bekind movement. It gives students the opportunity to pick up positive words from their fellow peers, and then write down their own for others to pick up.

“I was so pleased to see how many students were willing to participate in our leave a compliment and take a compliment box. I had to refill the slips after the first couple of days, and all of the compliments were genuine and kind,” Grace Cooper, Kean Ocean senior, and student assistant for Kean Ocean campus life said. “I was so pleased to see that people were willing to participate in something that could really help someone on a bad day.”

Students on campus have had positive reactions to the movement as well, and are enjoying bringing awareness to how little acts of kindness can really impact someone.

“One of my favorite parts of coming into the Gateway building for class on Thursdays is picking up a compliment and writing one down for someone else,” Maria Towra, sophomore at Ocean County College said. “I try to think of really unique things to say, and make sure that whoever is reading my compliment knows that the world is a better place with them in it.

The movement also hosted a “Come Sweat” event, on Feb.1 in the Ocean County College fitness building. There they celebrated National Women in Sports Day, and brought awareness to being kind to yourself, and your body. Students did a variety of workouts with one another, and every student that attended received a free #Bekind t-shirt, and free protein snacks to help fuel their body. 

“I hope that students will become more aware of their actions, and how a simple smile can impact someone’s day,” Lambusta said. “I hope that they understand the value of being kind to everyone no matter what they’re going through and to encourage positivity.”

The #Bekind movement will continue throughout the semester at Kean Ocean. Each month there will be different events taking place including donation drives, kindness activities, and volunteer opportunities.

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