With the 2006-07 Senior Capstone theme, “Poverty,” the issue has
permeated the entire college community. Through work projects, benefit
events, and overseas trips, GC students, faculty and staff focused on
helping the needy.

GC Mobilizes Rwanda Relief

Greenville College’s service projects continue to cross oceans. With he creation of The Rwanda Project, Greenville College students are given the opportunity to serve in East Africa while studying the history, cultural and political structures of the region.

Senior Elizabeth Koenig and her new friends smile for the camera.

In May 2006 a group of six faculty members met with Dr. Dwight Jackson, country director for Food for the Hungry International (FHI) in Rwanda, to explore opportunities for experiential learning and service. The resulting interterm course was led by Dr. Eugene Dunkley, professor of Biology, and supported through a $10,000 donation from University Loft Co., furniture manufacturer for GC residence halls. Along with studying, students participated in service projects such as teaching English, renovating rural medical clinics, and building clean-water systems.

Through its collaboration with FHI, Greenville College plans to organize multiple educational mission opportunities. “We want to mobilize students,” says Dr. Norm Hall, vice president for Student Development. “The goal is to create programs that are academic and experiential … in support of the academic aperture of the college.”

Another champion of the project, Dr. Rick McPeak, has discussed building a pork processing plant. FHI donated hundreds of pigs to Rwandan farmers; however, due to a weak infrastructure, meat processing is not available. One local governor has promised to donate 400 acres for the construction of this facility.

On-campus students are doing their part to raise awareness of the impoverished nation. In March, the eRace the Gap 5K was held in Greenville to raise money for the cause.

GC Students Support FM Habitat House

Greenville College students, faculty and staff assist with construction of Habitat home for Victoria Stone (front center).

Amidst projects, classes, deadlines and social lives, Greenville College students are giving their time to help those in need. Coinciding with the college’s senior capstone theme, “Poverty,” the fourth Habitat for Humanity project in Bond County provides real-world application as many students have joined in the construction process and are organizing events aimed at raising community awareness.

Greenville Student Outreach’s annual Shak-aThon event gets students out of their dorms and into cardboard boxes as they get a taste of what homelessness is like. This year, the tradition spurred on ideas to further Habitat awareness including a benefit basketball tourney and the Running with a Purpose 5k race.

Mary Adams, a senior Computer Information Systems major, was central to planning the race. She says, “I love Habitat for Humanity because they bring solutions right to your own community.” Her group raised $1300 for the Habitat project, with 125 runners turning out for the event. “The volunteers aren’t gaining anything from helping but a chance to change someone’s life.”

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