by Courtney Durst ‘19
Central College students, faculty and staff will participate in more than 70 local service projects during Service Day April 11. Since 2006, the college has dedicated a day to service activities each year. Volunteers will contribute to projects in Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Greater Des Moines, Ottumwa, Newton and Otley.
Central has organized half- and full-day projects for more than 700 volunteers. Participants will help remove debris from Lake Red Rock, build a gazebo at Urbandale’s Mosaic Center, create hats for newborns at Pella Regional Health Center and much more.
Many students and faculty members will also participate in projects related to various fields of study. Professor of mathematics and computer science Al Hibbard will lead a digital service project to make Marion County genealogy research possible. Associate professor of biology Paulina Mena will lead bilingual volunteers in creating Spanish translations for Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency. Also, volunteers interested in sustainability will help prepare Faith and Grace Garden in West Des Moines, which provides 10,000 pounds of organic produce to local food pantries each year.
Central has been recognized for proven community engagement, receiving the Community Engagement Classification from Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The college was also named to Honor Roll with Distinction in three categories for the 2015 President’s Award for Community Service.
Supporting Central’s many opportunities for meaningful service, the college maintains close relationships with more than 120 community partners in the region. More than 45 academic courses across 15 departments include semester-long components in service learning, and Central provides transportation to ensure every student can participate. Many students also complete custom-designed service opportunities, using their unique skills to enhance community partners’ work in specific ways, such as grant writing, research, managing websites and planning events.
Central parents, alumni, friends and anyone who would like to participate in Service Day can R.S.V.P. to Community-Based Learning at ivolunteer@central.edu or 641-628-5424.