Mission-minded students exercise civic duty through volunteering

Harding University

February 27, 2008

Mission-minded students exercise civic duty through volunteering

SEARCY, Ark. — With election season in full swing across the nation, many eyes are focused on college students' political behavior. Students have headed to the polls in increasing numbers this year, but voting is not the only way they are civically motivated. Research from a 2004 Harvard poll shows many young people see volunteerism as an even better way to be involved and bring about change.

Harding University students have been part of that change for more than 10 years, using their annual spring vacation for community service mission trips in the United States and around the world. What started out as independently sponsored student community service and outreach has blossomed into numerous, full-blown mission efforts that span eight states and six countries this year.

From California to Pennsylvania, Haiti to Panama, and Colorado to Canada, more than 280 students and faculty will participate in a wide variety of service projects during the University's Spring Break March 3-7.

"Now is a really good time for us to do community service," said Nicholas May, a senior psychology major from Searcy who serves as student and finance director for spring break missions. "We're young, have energy and a general willingness to help."

Planned projects include working with inner-city youth, painting homeless shelters and church buildings, rural construction, distributing appreciation packages to fireman and policeman, visiting nursing homes and children's hospitals, and helping in food pantries.

Many Harding students feel that while students should exercise their right to vote, volunteering feels more impactful. Ben Freeman, a senior education major from Birmingham, Ala., who is leading a group to Griffin, Ga., said both voting and volunteering are important, but for him, service is a higher priority.

"We [students] often think that one vote really won't make that big of a difference, " said Freeman. "With service, it's much easier to see the impact we have on others."

Raul Alvarado, a junior youth and family ministry major originally from Oxnard, Calif., agrees with Freeman. He is taking a group of 16 students to Panama, the country where he grew up with his missionary parents. His team will work in rural areas painting and doing construction for a local church before heading to Panama City to host a large youth rally.

"Voting can affect communities to some degree," he said. "But I think serving more immediately leads to better relationships within communities."

Improving community relationships is the focus of many of the trips as students plan to interact with people from all walks of life. Michael Crouch, a junior economics major from Haslet, Texas, is looking forward to encouraging people. His team of 11 students will be working with street ministries in Vancouver, British Columbia.

"I'm going on this trip to feed the sick, encourage the frustrated, and love those my group comes in contact with," Crouch said.

Nate Copeland, director of Harding University spring break missions, said the program gives students a chance to step off campus and use their abilities.

"I believe it all comes down to the values our student body possesses," said Copeland. "We are here at a Christian university where we can unite and serve others, while serving our Lord."

Why give up a time traditionally devoted to relaxation and personal pleasure to help others instead? Students feel that in the long run, their time is better spent in service and acting out a message in which they truly believe.

"I wanted to do something productive this Spring Break," said junior Jill Welker, a dietetics and pre-physician's assistant major from Murfreesboro, Tenn., who is leading a group to Orlando, Fla. "We are so sheltered, so it's good for us to get out and see that not everyone lives as comfortably as we do."

Harding had a record enrollment this year of more than 6,300 students from 49 states and 52 foreign countries. It is the largest private university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France/Switzerland, Greece, Italy and Zambia.