Mercury Bowen, who is currently the Coordinator for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging here on campus for over a year, oversees the Laker Closet. Previously, Bowen worked here on campus for four years at the Marketing & Public Relations Office as a Communications and Engagement Coordinator, located in Lensink Hall.
Regarding Laker Closet, Bowen explained, “Laker Closet is a resource here on campus that has been established and grown for students who are currently enrolled in college who may need clothes for any reason.”
They explained, “The clothes in the Laker Closet are more suited for business attire such as suit jackets, suit coats, ties, dress pants, blouses, dresses, etc. that students can use for a job interview, student teaching or a job to look more professional. We accept clothes that are in well-kept condition as well as on the professional side.”
They added, “We also have clothes there that are more casual, for more everyday wear. This is for when a student may not have money now to buy clothes or does not have resources to buy clothes and needs something nice to wear or utilizes it as a change of pace. We, however, do have limited space to accept clothing of all types.”
They mentioned, “We are a donation-based organization. We are trying to put the word out there that we would accept donations of anything. If we have more or less of the clothes in a particular size, we try to maintain all the sizes as we can. The clothes that we need more of are plus size clothing. We do not get as many donations in that area.”
They stated, “We have individuals here on campus that offer to volunteer to go shopping to stock up the Laker Closet with additional clothing. They will get plus size clothing on sale or have any plus size clothing donated to the Laker Closet. We do try to maintain much of the size range as we can.”
They expounded, “The concept of the Laker Closet came about prior to her coming into her current role by the former Business Division chairperson, Tynia Kessler, who recently retired two months ago. In addition, to clothing, we also have accessories, such as briefcases and handbags.”
If you have any clothing that you do not need anymore, please do not discard it. Feel free to donate the clothing to the Laker Closet for any student who may need to wear it, especially in the plus size category if it is clean and in well-kept condition.
The Laker Closet is in Webb Hall, and anyone interested in donating any clothing should contact [email protected].
