Malcolm Russell, Union College’s vice president for Academic Administration, doesn't regret his career path, but wishes he had been more intentional about discovering and following his calling while in college.
For pre-med students like senior Courtney Laubach, the Union College International Rescue and Relief (IRR) program’s semester in Nicaragua provides hands-on experience that gives them a unique advantage in medical school. “I’m really excited to go to Nicaragua,” said Laubach. “It will be good to provide medical care and make a difference in someone’s health through education. You can treat the symptoms, but only education can really help in the long term.”
The hectic pace of the average college student’s life makes cramming in extra activities—like helping others—seem next to impossible. But one Union College student and a couple of recent graduates found a way to stitch the opportunity to help others into their busy lives. On Sabbath afternoon, Nov. 3, they want to share that opportunity with the rest of Union’s campus.
Yesterday, 750 Union College students and employees took the day off from school to provide community service at nearly 80 sites around the city of Lincoln. Started in 1981 as Project Brush, Union's annual service day now known as Project Impact has seen an estimated 18,300 volunteers donate 115,000 hours over the past 31 years.
Jayme Anderson knows she was born to volunteer. As Project Impact coordinator, the senior elementary education major hopes to help her fellow Union College students find joy in volunteering, as well.
“I never really knew what my purpose in life was,” said Anderson, a secondary education major. “Then I started volunteering and I knew that I had found something I loved and wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
The Frontier Nursing Class is going on a Medical Mission trip over Spring Break: March 8-19, 2012.
 Ben Herzel, a junior international rescue and relief major, spent four weeks last summer volunteering with Tiny Hands International in Nepal. |
 The third annual Tiny Hands, Big Hearts sale to benefit Tiny Hands International will be held in the atrium of the Don Love Building from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 4. |
Lauren Kelley, now a first-year student in Union College’s physician assistant studies program, took a long look at the list of unusual ice cream flavors. As a student missionary for the Ambassador’s Medical Outreach and Relief (AMOR) Projects in Peru, a day off was the perfect chance to learn more about the local life.
“I heard someone behind me trying to get my attention,” Kelley said. “I turned, and to this day I can still see his face.”
The reality of those combating cancer—past, present and future—sparks an emotionally reaction in most. For some it also sparks a passion for action.
