McPherson College students lend helping hands.

McPherson (Kan.) College continues to encourage service and community responsibility in a program requiring all freshman and sophomore students to participate in seminar classes that provide various types of service projects on campus and in the community. The college reported in a recent release that lessons about service are well learned, as students from all classes continue to volunteer at many organizations including the Cedars Health Care Center, Good Beginnings Preschool, Meals on Wheels, the McPherson Humane Society, Multi-Community Diversified Services, the McPherson Public Library, and McPherson Family YMCA.

Two groups of McPherson College volunteers participated in a Habitat for Humanity project in Lindsborg, Kan. One group helped complete the foundation for a new house. Kevin Hadduck, director of academic development, felt that everyone benefitted from the project. "I believe that getting students out of their academic-sports-social routines and exposed, even if very briefly, to the needs and situations other people face can be very valuable," he said.

Two service trips were made during the fall break in October 2004. The first went to Hallam, Neb., where 13 students helped repair homes damaged in a tornado that devastated the town of 276 people in May 2004. "The town was a ghost town with only one or two houses left that looked livable, and only two or three trees still standing. It looked like a giant construction site. I wish we could have done more to help," said Seth Schoming, a sophomore from Davenport, Neb.

The second trip was to Heifer International in Arkansas, as part of the World Food Issues class taught by Al Dutrow, associate professor of Agriculture. Activities included cleaning animal facilities, paint branding sheep, harvesting and cleaning vegetables, fence construction, and landscape maintenance. One afternoon and night were spent in the Global Village, providing an opportunity to experience the living conditions and limited food resources of people served by Heifer International in various parts of the world.

Working through the General Board's Disaster Response program, eight students did hurricane relief work in Pensacola, Fla., during spring break this year. The work consisted mainly of dismantling unused and damaged naval base housing to salvage usable parts such as mirrors, fixtures, bricks, and wood. The salvage was sold and the proceeds were used to buy materials to help repair damaged homes. "Our trip to Pensacola was amazing," said Amy Porter, a sophomore from Quinter, Kan. "The destruction was horrific, but having the chance to help people who were so badly affected by this natural disaster gave us all a great feeling."

The tradition for service participation has contributed to the college's goal of creating whole persons. According to Tracy Stoddart, service coordinator, "the mission of McPherson College is alive and well." For more information call Stoddart at 620-241-0742 ext. 1707 or see www.mcpherson.edu.

Source: 08/31/2005 Newsline
top