At the heart of the mission at Waynesburg University is the call to serve. Throughout every year, Waynesburg students, faculty and staff work together to make an impact within the local community and the surrounding world by sharing their gifts, talents, and time with those in need.
For the University’s 175th Anniversary of Charter Day, scheduling a special Day of Service to commemorate this milestone was at the top of the list for ways to celebrate.
On Saturday, March 16, groups of students, faculty and staff gathered at various local sites to serve as a part of Waynesburg University’s 175th Anniversary Day of Service hosted by the Center for Service Leadership and Cultural Diversity and Belonging. Service sites included: Corner Cupboard Food Bank; Waynesburg First Assembly; Waynesburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; Greene County United Way; Waynesburg University Unity Trail and Community Garden; Warrior Trail; and Greene County Soccer Fields.
“It’s been a few years since we had a spring day of service,” said Adrienne Tharp, assistant dean of Student Development at Waynesburg University. “It was great to organize this one to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of WU.”
One particular site known and loved by many was the Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Greene County.
“I began reaching out to sites in early spring to sign up to host a group for the service day,” shared Tharp. “The Corner Cupboard Food Bank was one of the first organizations to request a group. Students enjoy going there to work to help Candance and her team. We have several students that serve there throughout the academic year, too.”
At the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, University volunteers worked to unload donated food and material items for distribution, disinfect public areas and tend to the community garden, a unique attribute to Corner Cupboard that features eight raised beds for growing produce during the summer months for distribution.
Several of those involved in this particular service project for the Day of Service were student-athletes and coaches who were eager to pitch in where help was needed.
“It is important for student-athletes to understand the notion of service, and how a helping hand can significantly mend and build quality relationships,” Coach Cornelius Coleman, assistant provost for Undergraduate Learning Experiences and head football coach at Waynesburg University, said.
“In order for Greene County to operate as ONE, the Campus and its local Community have to work well together.”
Members of the football and women’s soccer teams worked together to serve the needs of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank while also enjoying the unique opportunity to bond with their teammates off of the field.
“We loved being able to give back to the community and help others,” shared Brooklyn Loveland, a junior nursing major from New Cumberland, West Virginia, and member of the women’s soccer team. “One of our team values is to grow every day and we grew as a team that day by serving the community. It was a great experience, and we hope to do it again soon.”
The ability to conduct service work as a team has not only been enjoyable for the student-athletes involved, it has also shown others their compassion and heart for making a difference outside of their sport.
“We have the ability as a soccer program to have these awesome team bonding experiences that create memories for our players while also making a positive impact on our community,” said Coach George DeAugustino, head women’s soccer coach. “The idea to get involved with this project was driven by the players. They wanted to find a way to get together and give back, and came to me with the idea of helping the Corner Cupboard.”
“I am proud to be a coach of such an awesome group of players that want to spend a Saturday helping others. I think it shows how our team lives out Waynesburg University’s Mission.”
While guiding students in the development of specific skills and talents, Waynesburg University also provides opportunities to apply and sharpen them through service. Service opportunities include service learning courses, international and domestic mission trips, the Bonner Scholars Program and personal service initiatives, among others.
