New UNCA Students Roll up Sleeves,
Take on 33 Community Service Projects

UNCA students clearing  a garden at Claxton Elementary School

In 85-degree heat and heavy humidity, some 615 new UNC Asheville students fanned out into the Asheville community August 18 to lend a hand to 33 schools and community service organizations. Led by 85 faculty and staff members, teams were seen everywhere from Asheville Preschool to the YWCA, bringing strong backs and youthful energy to labor-intensive jobs that make a difference to the Asheville community.

This is the seventh year the university has made Bulldog Day: A Time of Service a key part of the its orientation program. "Orientation is a time to become acquainted with our campus community and our values, and among our values at UNC Asheville is a commitment to service. We've created this opportunity for our students to work together to affirm the value of service to others and to make an impact on the community outside our campus," said Carol Schramm, UNCA vice chancellor for student affairs.

And they did make an impact. Students helped resurface a playing field at the Martin Luther King Park, cleared and tilled a garden at Claxton Elementary School, created craft stations for the YMI's upcoming Goombay Festival, and began semester-long mentoring relationships with ESL students at Emma Elementary School.

While the projects were varied, the participants were pretty unanimous about the outcome.

Nyssa Mehana Johnson is interviewed by WLOS-TV during Bulldog Day

"I was really excited when I heard we'd be doing community volunteering. It's important for freshmen entering college to realize it's not just about them, it's about other people, " said Nyssa Mehana Johnson, 18, an Honors student from Cary, N.C., who was turning hard-packed dirt into a garden space at Claxton School. "This is a good bonding experience and it gives a good message to the students."

Ashleigh Carter, 18, a soccer team member from Denver, Colo., agrees.

"It's nice to go out and help people. I like the teamwork and getting to know other students," said Carter, who was spreading mulch at the YWCA playground. "There's more to life than school. It's important for us to make these connections now to that after college we'll be able to continue volunteering and be part of our communities."

Many students found their projects to be a good fit. At Claxton School, eight students signed up for volunteering during the fall semester, and the scene was repeated at many of the project sites.

" I love volunteering and plan to keep on with it while at UNCA," said Burton Salthouse, 18, from Morganton, N.C. "Humans need to help humans."

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676