Community engagement projects get nearly 150 students involved
(Midway, Ky.) – Before beginning classes for the fall semester, nearly 150 Midway University students spread out around the Bluegrass to make a difference in their new Kentucky home. As part of the school’s orientation weekend, the students were encouraged to take part in community service projects with Habitat for Humanity, Gathering Mission Place, The Homeplace at Midway, Midway Library, Walter Bradley Park and on Midway’s campus.
“This was a great opportunity for our students to spend time getting to know the community they’re going to call home during their time at Midway University,” said Tracy Small-Spotts, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership. “Community service has always played an important role in my life, so I am glad it was well received by our returning students and new student population.”
Over the course of the weekend, the students completed projects including:
- Organizing clothing and assisting with meal preparation and various chores at Gathering Mission Place.
- Leading games and spending time with residents and working in the garden at The Homeplace at Midway.
- Assisting with organization at ReStore, preparing a new building site and putting the finishing touches on a recently-completed house for Habitat for Humanity.
- Participating in the Midway Library’s Back to School Pancake Party by spending time with the children in attendance and leading tours of the library.
- Mulching and beautifying Walter Bradley Park, which was originally built by students of Pinkerton High School in collaboration with residents of Midway.
- Painting fences on Midway University’s 200-acre working horse farm.
Joy Arnold, a community volunteer who regularly works at Walter Bradley Park, lauded the students’ efforts. “We eliminated two huge piles of mulch in half the time we thought it would take! For those of us “old folks” who have be forging ahead with these projects, we really enjoyed seeing how numbers — especially of young people — could move us along.”
Since the university was founded as the Kentucky Female Orphan School in 1847, reaching out to those in need has been an important part of its culture. Today, Midway operates under the guidance of five core values, including service to others and viewing self as part of the community. Students are afforded the opportunity to live these values through service projects in Central Kentucky and beyond each academic year.