Giving
Students volunteer in 15 area service projects on Welcome Weekend
On their second official day on campus, nearly 250 Muskingum University first-year students rose early in the morning to volunteer in 15 off-campus service projects on Saturday.
Led by members of Muskingum’s various student organizations, faculty and staff, the first-year students scrubbed and cleaned, weeded and painted at locations in New Concord, Cambridge, Zanesville and Norwich. The projects were coordinated by the Student Life Office as part of Welcome Weekend.
“Muskingum’s history is filled with examples of service to others, and we work hard to carry on that legacy with every new class,” said Susan Waryck, dean of students at Muskingum University. “We were thrilled that so many of our new students joined in to work on these projects today.”
Students converged on a variety of locations, including New Concord Elementary, Friendship Preschool and Daycare, the New Concord Area Pool, The John & Annie Glenn Museum, the National Road & Zane Grey Museum, the New Concord Reservoir, Collegial Woods Park, The Wilds and Zanesville High School among others.
Muskingum President Susan S. Hasseler spent the morning at the various project locations, assisting with service project tasks and encouraging the volunteers. Early on in her time at Muskingum, President Hasseler prioritized community and calling as key themes for carrying the University’s legacy into the future.
“Educating ‘the whole student for the whole world’ means that we engage our students directly in learning how to be good neighbors,” President Hasseler said. “We use every opportunity we can to encourage students to get involved with our local communities.”
Bryce Vernon '21, from Adamsville, Ohio, volunteered at The John & Annie Glenn Museum, planting new flowers and weeding the flowerbeds, preparing them for the fall.
“These events have really shown me how involved Muskingum is in the community,” Vernon said. “It’s more than just a University in a town, it’s a University and a town working together with one another.”
Maretta Babe '21, from Carrollton, Ohio, spent the morning tidying up at the National Road & Zane Grey Museum in Norwich. Babe said she enjoyed learning more about the road that came to be called “the Main Street of America.”
“It was a cool experience. I’ve never been here or heard of (the museum), so I’ll have to make plans to come back,” Babe said.
Cassandra Bolyard '20, from New Lexington, Ohio, joined a group of students including her sorority sisters at New Concord Elementary painting the playground area.
“Our community gives so much, not only to us as students but to our University as well,” Bolyard said. “It’s important that we continue to give back, even in this small way.”
Rev. Julia Sprague, a University Chaplain intern at Muskingum, joined Bolyard at New Concord Elementary School. New to Muskingum, Sprague said the student volunteers were the most polite group of students she has ever worked with.
“It’s important for our students to feel like they are involved in the area and build a stronger relationships with our community,” Sprague said. “This is also a great way for them to meet each other, and feel engaged in student life and their new campus family.”
Volunteer transportation was provided courtesy of the South East Area Transit.
