Mathematics sophomore Lisa Koehler helps Bingham Elementary School kindergartner Nassir Pettis, 5, with his math homework Thursday in Lansing. Koehler is one of several MSU students who volunteers at the after-school program.
When the final bell rings and students pile into Lansing’s Bingham Elementary School halls, Starmeshia Jones could leave like most students after three hours working with a classroom of first graders.
Instead, she stays behind two more hours as a volunteer for Bingham’s
after-school program, helping students with homework and supervising activities — all on her own time and dime.
“The kids, they’re just so nice,” said Jones, a psychology senior who has worked at Bingham for three years.
“I’ve been with some of these kids since kindergarten and I’ve watched them improve and I actually do feel like I make a difference.”
Jones’ and other MSU students’ passion for volunteering is emblematic of how the university won the 2008
Presidential Award for General Community Service, the highest federal recognition bestowed upon a higher education institution for community service.
MSU is one of three universities to receive the award out of the 635 institutions that applied for the recognition.
Judges took into account the percentage of student population and availability of service opportunities in making their decision.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the award process, recognized MSU because of the university’s “long tradition of community engagement, the number of community nonprofits that engage with MSU students and the number of students involved” in service, said Siobahn Dugan, a public affairs specialist for the corporation.
The recognition honors all of MSU’s volunteer groups, which work with 360 community nonprofits ranging from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to the Alternative Spring Break program.
While the award recognizes university groups, the corporation acknowledged the work of MSU’s Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, which connects students with nonprofit organizations.
“There are many colleges and universities that have very high quality programs, but there are a couple things that are really unique and special about MSU,” said Karen McKnight Casey, the center’s director.
“MSU has always been committed to taking elements of the community at large and applying them,” she said.
Between 2001 and 2008, the number of students volunteering with the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement has tripled, to about 14,500 students.
“I think (the increase) shows their dedication and passion to continue volunteering year after year, and that their passion for the program has rubbed off on other people,” said elementary education senior Colleen Gitter, an Alternative Spring Break co-chair who has volunteered at MSU since her freshman year.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
