HFC alumnus Brooks donates 13,500 face masks to HFC students

One of the College’s notable recent alumni, Byron Brooks – a community activist who recently graduated from Ferris State University and will begin grad school this fall at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor – will always have a special place in his heart for HFC.

To demonstrate his love for his alma mater, Brooks has donated almost 13,7000 disposable face masks for HFC students, dividing them between the Hawks’ Nest – the College’s official student food pantry – and the HFC Office of Campus Safety.

Brooks led a service initiative on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as part of the Biden Harris Inaugural Committee earlier this year. Part of that work was distributing PPE.

Students can pick up free face masks at the Hawks' Nest or Campus Safety on the main campus. Campus Safety is in the Campus Safety Building (Building N). The Hawks’ Nest is in the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center (ASCC) (Building L). The Hawks’ Nest will be open on Thursdays only during the Summer 2021 semester and only by appointment.

HFC Student Activities Associate Mandy Earl, who oversees the Hawks’ Nest, is grateful for the donation.

“Thank you for this very generous donation to the students at HFC,” said Earl. “The masks will be very beneficial to the students. We greatly appreciate your continued support of our students and the Hawks' Nest!”

A deep love for HFC

Brooks – who earned his associate degree in music and a certificate in recording arts from HFC in 2018 – called HFC his extended family. For part of his time when attending HFC, Brooks was homeless. When HFC faculty and staff learned of his plight, they helped Brooks in any way they could, referring him to the HFC Counseling Office and helping him purchase a car. He eventually found an apartment.

Once his living arrangements were stabilized, Brooks was later elected president of the HFC Student Council. One of his proudest accomplishments during his presidency was helping work on the Diversity Task Force. Brooks has reiterated that he would not have become successful in his academic and philanthropic pursuits if it weren't for HFC.

“As you all know, this pandemic has affected us all in some way, either directly or indirectly, so I just want to do my part to help my fellow Hawks safely push through these challenging times and still pursue their education,” said Brooks.

If you are an HFC student who would like to obtain face masks for personal use, contact Mandy Earl, mlearl1@hfcc.edu.