More than 400 incoming freshmen at John Brown University spent Monday getting to know Siloam Springs through service to the community.
Students spent the morning working at 19 locations -- including nonprofits, churches, schools and nursing homes -- throughout Siloam Springs.
Serve Siloam has been a part of freshmen orientation for JBU students for nearly 20 years, according to Steve Beers, vice president of student development. Freshmen moved into the dorm on Friday evening and participated in orientation activities throughout the weekend. Sophomores, juniors and seniors returned to campus on Monday. Classes begin today.
Serve Siloam is an opportunity for students to become familiar with Siloam Springs, become part of the community and take ownership in the town through service, Beers said.
"Literally the first thing students do at JBU is serve," he said.
Students also got to know each other through the nonstressful, upbeat experience, Beers said.
"We're building a community -- an internal community," he said.
Beers was working alongside about 25 students in Bob Henry Park on Monday, scooping wood chips into wheelbarrows to be spread under playground equipment.
Aaron Hollenback, parks maintenance manager, said the wood chips function as a "kid cushion" that will keep youngsters safe if they fall off playground equipment.
In three hours, the JBU students spread an entire semi-truck load of wood chips at Bob Henry Park and the La-Z-Boy ball fields. The volunteers saved the Parks Department employees at least two days of work, Hollenback said.
Mark Bevardi, who grew up in Hungary, was a student orientation leader for the group of students working in the park. Bevardi said he really enjoys the responsibility of being a leader and introducing people to JBU.
"I want people to appreciate it and to introduce people to what a great place it is," he said.
Channing Gallardo, a freshmen from Los Angleles, chatted with Katelyn Arnold, a freshman from Loveland, Ohio, as the two worked alongside each other. Gallardo came to JBU sight unseen despite her families doubts. In contrast, 17 members of Arnold's family have attended the university. Her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents met on campus.
The girls agreed that after just three days on campus, JBU already feels like home.
"I started calling it home on the first day. The transition was just like that," Gallardo said, snapping her fingers.
Even though students had to get up early to do manual labor in the heat, Gallardo and Arnold said they hadn't heard any complaints.
"It's incredible to see people working together for something bigger than themselves," Gallardo said.
A group of about 10 JBU students worked at the Elizabeth Richardson Center -- they pulled weeds, spread mulch, cleaned windows, raked rubber chips on the playground and cleared sidewalks.
The JBU students helped take care of things staff members don't have time to get done, director Jamie Short said. Short was surprised by the number of jobs the students volunteered to take on and how quickly they accomplished their goals.
"To me, (the community service) encompasses what JBU is all about," she said.
General News on 08/27/2014