Nov 3, 2009
 

USD students ‘make a difference’ during nationwide project day

VERMILLION, S.D. -- Students from The University of South Dakota spent a Saturday working on local projects during the 19th annual “Make A Difference Day” on Saturday, Oct. 24. Sponsored by USA WEEKEND, “Make A Difference Day” promotes civic engagement annually during the fourth Saturday of October.
 
Students from The U painted walls and shelving at Sharing the Dream, located at 10 W Main St., in Vermillion, while another group of USD students served at the Vermillion Community Garden where they helped construct a tool shed. These students also spent time inside the Washington Street Art Center assisting in the building’s major renovation project.

Students participating in “Make A Difference Day” projects included Andi VanHove of Marion, S.D., Timothy Rust of Luverne, Minn., Kayla Fiscus of Sioux City, Iowa, Cati Peterson of Omaha, Neb., Emily Brockett of Morris, Ill., Jessica Colburn of Aurora, Neb., and Toni Barrera of Fremont, Neb.

“It was a good experience overall,” added Fiscus. “I learned the importance of getting involved in the community. We worked a little and helped a lot.”

In addition to “Make A Difference Day” projects, USD’s Center for Academic Engagement promoted the national day to help others by sponsoring a table at the Munster University Center. Quick projects were available at this table as more than 50 students stopped by to paint mini-pumpkins or create a card for items that were eventually donated to the Sioux Falls Children’s Inn. Also, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the CAE’s “Make A Difference Day” table distributed dark purple ribbons to raise domestic violence awareness and provided visitors with information on donating supplies to the local Domestic Violence Safe Option Services.

About The Center for Academic Engagement

The U’s Center for Academic Engagement was created as a central point of contact for students to find experiential learning information, including information about service-learning, undergraduate research, study abroad and off-campus academic experiences.  The office is also a place where faculty can receive support for integrating service-learning and other experiential activities into their courses.  Finally, the Office acts as a general volunteer clearinghouse for Vermillion and the surrounding area. The CAE is supported by the University and a grant from Learn and Serve America through the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education and the Corporation for National & Community Service.  For information on upcoming events, e-mail the CAE at engage@usd.edu or visit www.usd.edu/engage.
 
About The University of South Dakota
 
Founded in 1862, The University of South Dakota is designated as the only public liberal arts university in the state and is home to a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, the state's only School of Law, School of Medicine, the accredited Beacom School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. It has an enrollment of more than 9,600 students taught by 400 faculty members. More information is available at www.usd.edu/press/news.

This material is available in an alternate format upon request. Please contact University Relations at 605-677-5759. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate in any university activity or event, please contact Disability Services at 605-677-6389 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made.
 

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Phillip Carter
The University of South Dakota
605-677-6258
phillip.carter@usd.edu
 
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