Southwestern

Engaging Minds, Transforming Lives

Student Life at SOUTHWESTERN

Service Opportunities

Southwestern students strongly believe in helping others. That's the reason half of the student body volunteered to work the overnight shifts when the Georgetown community built a playscape for the city's children. It's why dozens of students traveled to southern Louisiana to help victims of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes and their lives.

It's why hundreds of students, each year, participate in Operation Achievement, SU's mentoring and enrichment program for middle and high school students from Georgetown; or in Partners in Education, a mentoring program that involves students of all ages. And it explains the 50+ students who volunteered for Destination: Service last Spring, a program that provides alternative spring break service projects including building homes, providing assistance to people with special needs, or cleaning up national park sites.

These are far from isolated examples. In fact, this year, the majority of students in the entering first-year class kicked off a New Student Orientation Day of Service by volunteering in the Georgetown and Austin communities. Many of Southwestern's student organizations also feature a service component. And after students graduate their commitment to service continues in the annual Day of Service.

Following are some ways you can volunteer or get more information on the opportunities to serve:

  • Visit the Office of Civic Engagement's website.
  • View a list of local, area & national volunteer opportunities compiled by the Office of Religious Life.
  • Sign up to be an Operation Achievement. mentor. Contact: Joni Ragle, x1219. (The program runs from 4-5:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Volunteers work one or two afternoons each week.)
  • Join Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Southwestern's national service fraternity.
  • Join ANY SU student organization. ALL involve some type of service component.
  • Sign up for Destination: Service this coming spring break. Contact Dr. Beverly Jones, X1965.
  • READ In Focus, the weekly e-newsletter from the Office of University Relations. It occasionally lists volunteer opportunities for students.