Service highlighted in 150th challenge
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Sesquicentennial Celebration included a Spring Service Challenge, which ran from January to April in honor of UNG's 150 years. During those months, UNG faculty, staff and students completed more than 150 community service and outreach projects.
"We wanted our service project to be done in partnership or benefiting local nonprofit organizations and those that support government organizations," said Bobbi Larson, executive director of economic development and community engagement.
UNG's Sesquicentennial serves as an opportunity to honor the university's heritage, celebrate its present achievements, and focus on where it will lead next.
The service challenge was a natural fit with UNG's Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. This elective designation describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
Dr. Kathryn Narciso, lecturer of psychology, received a Sesquicentennial mini grant to support 10 service projects conducted by students in a pair of leadership psychology courses she taught during the spring.
This hands-on experience enabled them to develop crucial leadership skills such as effective communication, collaborative teamwork, innovative problem-solving, and adaptability, all of which will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors
Dr. Kathryn Narciso
lecturer of psychology
Narciso's students assisted No One Alone, an organization dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence that is currently fundraising for a new shelter. In Gainesville, a team of students organized a "surviving finals" snack sale, offering bags of treats accompanied by uplifting messages. Simultaneously, in Dahlonega, another student team orchestrated an "Experience Dahlonega" gift basket raffle. Together, these teams raised over $400 for the organization.
Two other teams made a tremendous impact on the Georgia Mountain Food Bank, collectively donating 1,000 meals worth of food and money.
Other organizations the students helped were Connectability, Humane Societies, Boy with a Ball, Keep Lumpkin Beautiful, and Community Helping Place through events such as volleyball tournaments, road clean-ups, spirit nights, comedy shows, and supply drives.
"This hands-on experience enabled them to develop crucial leadership skills such as effective communication, collaborative teamwork, innovative problem-solving, and adaptability, all of which will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors," Narciso said. "I cannot express enough how immensely proud I am of their remarkable accomplishments and the positive impact they have made on our UNG community."
Various other groups on campus completed a wide array of projects, including Service Saturdays in Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee campus community nonprofits. Physical therapy faculty and students took part in weekend construction projects with Habitat for Humanity.
The College of Education provided tutoring for K-12 students while preparing future teachers for the classroom through partnerships with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Mentor Me, and Junior Achievement. Students pursuing accounting degrees helped taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
UNG had a presence in the Grocery Cart Grand Prix, supporting the Community Helping Place's food drive thanks to the university’s Athletics Department. Student-athletes continued their long-time support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for children with critical illnesses and Connectability, which is dedicated to ensuring people of all abilities are valued, included and empowered.
Others in the College of Health Sciences & Professions supported community health clinics or delivered Mental Health First Aid programs to educators and public service providers to help them identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
Library faculty and staff supported literacy initiatives through their participation with K-12 schools, library programs and events like the Dahlonega Literacy Festival.
Art students at the Oconee Campus created wooden therapy butterflies to supplement a mural painted earlier in the fall and to further enhance the campus of Butterfly Dreams Farm, an organization that provides equine therapy programs.
UNG's Cumming Campus partnered with The Place of Forsyth to offer the Gift of Prom, a no-cost boutique shopping experience for students who otherwise would not be able to attend. Blue Ridge Scholars let senior citizens know they were remembered on Valentine's Day with handcrafted cards, packed weekend meals for low-income children with Snack in a Backpack and supported the Gilmer County Schools' Special Olympics.
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