David Knighton, senior in nutrition and director of the Val R. Christensen Service Center, said the purpose of the center is to serve the community but also give students the opportunity to improve their own lives through service.
“The purpose of the service center is to enhance the quality of life for Utah State students through doing service,” he said.
Knighton said he believes service is an important aspect of college life.
“There’s education in the classroom, but there is also outside-the-classroom learning that takes place through service,” he said. “That type of learning is invaluable and you can’t get it in the classroom. It is a crucial part of the college experience.”
Each of the service clubs are student-run, something Lisa Vaughn, the community service coordinator and Val R. Christensen Service Center adviser, said is unique to other colleges and universities.
“The students who run and volunteer for the programs are passionate about partnering with the community to tackle important local and global issues,” she said.
Knighton said volunteering for the service center has taught him valuable leadership and organizational skills that will help him with future responsibilities and leadership positions. He said the opportunity to work with other students and make lasting friendships has also been a good experience. Knighton said he strongly encourages students to become involved with the service center.
“Come get involved. You have no idea how much it will enhance your life and your college experience. Your life will change by giving service at the service center,” Knighton said.
Vaughn said every student has something they can offer and learn from the service center.
“Every person has something they can give to others,” he said. “A graphic design student might create a logo for the local food bank. A physics major might visit local schools to encourage young women to enter scientific fields. A business student can help a local non-profit create a volunteer database. By doing things that they love, we hope that students not only give to others but learn from others.”
The following is a list and description of each of the service clubs in the Val R. Christensen Service Center. For more information or to join a club, visit www.usu.edu/asusu or visit the service center on the third floor of the TSC.
Aggie Health
Aggie Health provides students with health-related majors with opportunities to promote the health of both local and international communities through clinics, screenings and education.
Aggie Recyclers
Aggie Recyclers aims to serve the community and environment by educating people on how to live in a sustainable way. They are involved with recycling on campus as well as promoting other sustainable practices.
Aggie Special Olympics Team
Special Olympics is designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports. With four different seasons to choose from, athletes can participate in a wide variety of sports including basketball, swimming, snowshoeing, volleyball and soccer. Volunteers help coach and train athletes while developing relationships that can last a lifetime.
Aggies for Africa
Aggies for Africa raises awareness of issues occurring in Africa and participates in fundraising efforts for non-profits such as Mali Rising and Invisible Children.
Alternative Breaks
Alternative Breaks gives students the opportunity to spend time off from school providing meaningful service. Activities include local projects, fundraising and service trips across the country. The next activity is a Spring Break service trip. In the past, students have served in New Orleans, La., Galveston, Texas and Hawaii. Plans for the 2010 Spring Break trip are being made for a humanitarian trip to Hawaii.
Best Buddies
Best Buddies pair college students with an intellectually disabled member of the community to develop one-on-one friendships.
Community Partnerships
Community Partnerships help students get involved in service in Cache Valley by working with local non-profits. Volunteers also help with other programs in the Val R. Christensen Service Center when additional volunteers are needed.
Friends of the Elderly
Friends of the Elderly provides the opportunity for students to serve senior citizens in Cache Valley. Students either develop one-on-one relationships or participate in organized group activities held in various nursing homes and retirement communities.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity volunteers build simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Volunteers of every experience level are invited to help enhance the lives of those in need of shelter locally.
Project PALS
PALS is a youth mentoring program in which students are matched with 6- to 16-year-olds in Cache Valley and spend time with them weekly in one-on-one activities or group events.
Senior University
Senior University provides weekly on-campus classes for seniors citizens taught by USU professors.
S.T.A.R.
S.T.A.R. stands for Students Teaching Arithmetic and Reading. Volunteers give one-on-one tutoring in both reading and math to elementary school students in various schools in Cache Valley.
S.T.I.C.K.S.
S.T.I.C.K.S. is a tutoring program for middle school students in math and reading, motivating students to prepare for college.
Service-Learning Scholars Program
The Service-Learning Scholars Program helps students combine service with their academic experience. Students learn hands-on by serving in campus and in the community, relating directly to coursework they are taking for an applied learning experience.
Spanish Ambassadors
Speak Spanish? Spanish Ambassadors is a program that partners with the Hispanic community in Logan with after-school programs, ESL classes, Spanish and translations classes.
Special Olympic Games
Special Olympic Games volunteers help organize area competitions and with National Special Olympic qualifying games at USU. Volunteers help to recruit more volunteers, time events, organize entertainment for athletes and prepare athletes before the race. Events include swimming, powerlifting, gymnastics, basketball and track and field events.
S.T.E.P.
S.T.E.P. stands for Students Together Ending Poverty. Volunteers work to alleviate hunger and homelessness in the state of Utah and complete projects to aid people around the world suffering from poverty.
Storytellers
Storyteller volunteers promote literacy among children through tutoring in reading at local elementary schools and helping with Literacy Fairs throughout Cache Valley.
United Campus Volunteers
United Campus Volunteers organizes a monthly service project for people who love to serve with others. Volunteers have a variety of projects they can participate in throughout the year to meet the needs of the community.
Information about service clubs compiled from www.usu.edu/asusu.
–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu