University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Ellen Middlebrook help pir hn il touches on rho meal prepared i v - -W Helping in the kitchen, volunteers of the John Kendra, fifth-year graduate student, St. Mary ' s Student Parish ' s Hunger helps with washing dishes as the December Coalition assist with the Friday meal for the 3rd Hunger Coalition came to a close, homeless. -- Jimmy Basse -- Jimmy Basse Michigan Life 45

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I A CALL To SERVICE olunteering ' once solely implied donning r army fatigues and raising a stiff hand to the command of Ten-hut! A lot has changed since then. In 1993, the word extended into realms of work outside of the military, including charity work, social work, community work, and others. Each year many U-M students elected to answer the call for humane service and dress in their own uniforms for battle. In this crusade, they were mobilized with the goal of improving community living, assisting those in need, and in the long-run, bringing about social change. Those willing to volunteer their time were numerous on the U-M campus. Many organizations relied heavily on student volunteers and the enthusiasm that accompanied them to keep their operations running. Hospitals, medical labs, research labs, and other vocational institutions only benefited from the services which students provided of their own free will. Other community organizations, such as those aiding senior citizens or the disabled, were kept alive by the people who helped themselves by helping others. There were numerous programs at the University which encouraged students ' interest and involvement. The Greek system mandated philanthropic work, while dorms formed special groups which joined altruists together. Other programs offered students credit for volunteer work and even provided various volunteering options. One such University program was Project Serve, which functioned as a liaison between the students and about 150 local service organizations. By offering information on such programs as Alternative Spring Break, Into the Streets, and women and children counseling, it provided ample opportu- nities for the students for positive volunteer work. According to the organizers, their mission was to foster, through com- munity service and social action, a student movement at the University of Michigan that though tfully addresses the chal- lenges that we face as a society. Student Co-Chair Maggie Kronk advocated the benefits of Project Serve: We are a positive organization looking towards the future with hope. We absolutely believe that what we are doing is helping others and educating others. Jon Nash, head of Into the Streets which dealt with such issues as homelessness, hunger, the environment, and more, said, It ' s a type of fulfillment for me to lead others into community service so that they can also receive the rewards that I have. Project Community was a program similar to Project Serve, however it was different in that students enrolled in the program and received academic credit for their hours worked. The courses offered covered a wide range of services, including leadership, intergroup relations, education, crimi- nal justice, and chemical dependency. Jeff Howard, director of the Office of Community Service Learning, believed that the benefits students gained from this program were plenti- ful. He commented, In Project Community, students have the opportunity to serve in the community while learning sociology. They come away from the experience having furthered their sense of social responsibility, their under- standing of inequality in this society, and with a heightened sense of self-awareness and their own values. Some students involved in this program or Project Serve found the experience essential to their human experience. Miriam Cotein, LSA Honors sophomore, asserted, I am involved with community service because I don ' t know how to live any other way. In addition to gaining self-satisfaction, many students felt that their volunteer work provided valuable experiences for future careers. Jenny Schafer, a volunteer at U-M ' s Home- Med, felt her work planted solid roots for her career in pharmacy: Working with the medical supplies has given me hands-on experience while allowing me to see another side of pharmacy outside of retail. It has also helped me to see the different options available in the field. Volunteers did not always receive monetary payment, but for the many individuals who displayed the uniform of selflessness and dedicated themselves to the welfare of oth- ers, they certainly received the badge of goodwill. By ( Ei[een Mombk 44 Michigan Life

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Painted blue and gold with Wolverine spirit, University students root on the football team with unconventional support during the team ' s clash with Notre Dame. -- Josh Sohn Easy as A-B-C, U-M plowed over the Washington State Cougars. In full spirit.Seth Jackier, Jamie Bortek, and Matt Linick were there to celebrate the victory. -- Josh Sohn Over 100,000 pairs of eyes watch as the Wolverine team charges the field before the Notre Dame game. Though the game ' s outcome was yet unknown, the Maize-N- Blue team hoped to overcome the Luck of the Irish. -- Josh Sohn 46 Michigan Life