Students learning volunteers' values

AIKEN --- Fall break in New Orleans and spring breaks in the sun of Miami.

• Photos

Chris Thelen/Staff

During USC Aiken's annual Hunger Banquet, students collected canned food at the door. All money and food will be donated to Golden Harvest Food Bank. The school was honored for its commitment to community service.

It might sound like a typical college vacation from classes and exams, but University of South Carolina Aiken students are using their time off to help others instead of helping themselves to free time.

"This is a great time to work at a college because this generation of students are all about becoming a better person and making this community a better place," said Angel Lee, the USC Aiken assistant director of student involvement.

Next week, 22 students are headed to an area outside Miami to build Habitat for Humanity houses. Last fall, more than 50 students spent their first semester break assisting families in New Orleans.

More than 35 percent of the 3,100 students on campus participate in community events throughout the year, and the numbers are growing as new events are added each semester.

Last month, the Corporation for National and Community Service honored USC Aiken with the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, awarded to only six schools nationally.

Dr. Tom Hallman, the USC Aiken chancellor, said the award was a testament to students' commitment to civic engagement.

This year the campus added a dance marathon, raising more than $5,000 for the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Medical Center.

Students also spend the first day of each school year volunteering with local nonprofit agencies.

Local cosmetologists are also creating a partnership to collect hair for Locks of Love, which makes wigs for children suffering hair loss from medical treatments.

"It's not a requirement to participate, but service has always been a big part of USCA's values," Ms. Lee said.

Citizenship is one of the four core values of the university, and Ms. Lee said she has seen students step up since she joined the school almost two years ago. She attributes more student collaboration to an increase in activities.

"Every year you try to improve every department and program, but as we give our students more opportunities more have begun to participate," she said.

In 2006, only seven students spent spring break building homes. That number more than doubled in 2007, and this year at least 22 students have pledged their time.

Ms. Lee said professors and faculty encourage student participation in events, even if it means offering extra credit. The student involvement office also tries to combine educational components with events, such as history lessons in New Orleans.

"I was proud of the students and really lucky to work at a university that is so supportive of service," Ms. Lee said. "The fact that it is one of our values says a lot about the community here."

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.