On Nov. 1, Piedmont University held another global handwashing day event led by Dr. Julia Schmitz. Global Handwashing Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of handwashing. At the event, students made their own soap by choosing essential oils, scents, colors and a mold for their soap. With all the different options available students could make so many different soaps.

“My favorite part of having this event is seeing all the different types of soap the students make,” said Schmitz.

Dr. Schmitz was inspired to bring global handwashing day to Piedmont after reading about it in one of her textbooks during the peak of the pandemic. After learning about this day, she went to speak with the dean to see if they could do this day as a collaboration between mass communication students and natural sciences students.

At the event, there was a display of the research from the natural sciences students on the cultivation of germs and how regular cleaning reduces the amount of germs and bacteria capable of growing.

This event created a fantastic opportunity to learn about the importance of good handwashing habits while also making a cute soap for students to take home. 

To learn more about Global Handwashing Day check out https://globalhandwashing.org/global-handwashing-day/