The Mercy League supports Holy Ground by using relationships as the basis for promoting peace and safety on campus. Trained in de-escalation techniques and committed to honoring the dignity and worth of each individual, staff who work as part of the Mercy League have a goal of knowing each person who comes to Haywood Street by name. Believed to be way more powerful than the Justice League, the Mercy League was born during a time when the size and scope of Haywood St. was increasing and conflict on campus was becoming more common.
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The History of Asheville
Before European settlement, Asheville was part of the Cherokee Nation. Bearing the name Untokiasdiyi, meaning “Where they race,” the Cherokee people used the area as a gathering place.
Settlement didn’t occur until after the Revolutionary War, in 1784, when Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family arrived, claiming land through a soldier’s grant. The settlement, initially named “Morristown,” was later renamed Asheville in honor of North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe.
Asheville became an important outpost in the Blue Ridge Mountains, attracting famous travelers like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. The city flourished during the railway boom into the 1920s but faced a significant setback during the stock market crash of 1929. However, thanks to a committed urban renewal plan and efforts to maintain the city’s charm, Asheville transformed into the vibrant culture hub it is today.