Feb 28, 2017 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – During spring break this week, 43 Waynesburg University students are traveling around the East Coast to participate in four service trips. The students are being led by university faculty members as they spend time serving in Brooksville, Fla., Concord, N.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Sunday welcomed 10 students to Brooksville, Fla., and will continue to work with them until this Sunday.

Students are helping the commission’s Conservation Center to clean up, repair and maintain parts of an 850-acre wildlife area. In addition to learning about natural habitats and preservation from the experience, students are applying the information learned in science courses to a real environment.

Chad Sethman, associate professor of biology, and Bryan Hamilton, professor of biology, are leading the group.

Twelve students are working with Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County in Concord, N.C., until Friday under the supervision of Chad Sherman, associate professor of communication, and Brandon Szuminsky, instructor of communication.

The university has partnered with Habitat for several years, and this year’s group will help build a new home for a family in need. The project will provide an opportunity for students to learn about the issues that lead to poverty in America and how they can help make a difference.

Six students are spending spring break in Philadelphia serving with the Center for Student Missions, an organization that matches groups with service opportunity in the city. Ezekiel Olagoke, associate professor of sociology, is leading the group, which left Monday and will return Thursday.

The students will serve at several different organizations, including St. John’s Hospice, Whosoever Gospel Mission and the Philadelphia Furniture Bank. Olagoke believes the experience will teach students about a variety of sociological issues, such as diversity and social stratification.

Another 15 students, led by Josh Sumpter, instructor of biblical ministry studies and assistant university chaplain, are working with the Pittsburgh Project until Friday.

The Pittsburgh Project is located on the North Side of Pittsburgh and focuses on home repairs for city residents who are vulnerable for a variety of reasons. Sumpter hopes students will make their mark not only through the physical results of manual labor, but also through the spiritual connections they form by spending time with homeowners in need.