Albion College: Basketball Senior Rewarded For Mentoring Local Youth

The highlight of the week for many children at Albion's Harrington Elementary School is the one-hour visit by their mentor, who happens to be a student from Albion College. Three senior members of the men's basketball program – Sean Hendon, Luke Walker, and Bob Wernet – were among 25 Albion students who recently received Michigan Campus Compact Heart and Soul awards for their dedication to community service. They were also among the recipients of the Jessie Longhurst Rotary Service Award.

The mentorship program, now known as Jessie's Gift in memory of the 2002 Albion High School graduate and former Albion College student-athlete, was developed and is currently run by Peg Turner, the wife of former Albion men's basketball coach Mike Turner.

Peg Turner started the program when she was a kindergarten teacher in the Albion Public Schools so members of the men's basketball program could learn that success wasn't solely determined by wins on the hardwood while the schoolchildren gained a positive role model.

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