Reunion weekend finds job for alumni
by Hlengiwe Moloi
On Oct. 18, students and alumni participated in a service day in Richmond, organized by the Bonner Center for Service Learning and Vocation.
Derric Watson, director of Bonner students, said, “This particular day was chosen because this is the time when most alums are around. This is a good time to connect Earlham students with alums and the city of Richmond.”
Considering that there was a lot happening around the Earlham campus, students showed up in impressive numbers. For some time, there were no signs of alumni. However, just past 1 p.m., the students managed to recruit three alums to join the group. This brought the number of participants to 25 Good Samaritans: eight students, 14 Bonner students and three alums.
Watson said, “I would have liked to see more alums but I understand it was a busy day. It was a small start, but a good one, and I am excited for next year.”
The service day began with the service group leaders giving a brief job description of each site. One of the choices was Habitat for Humanity, led by senior Bonner Emily Ostroff. Habitat for Humanity consisted of finishing the roofing of a house in Wayne County, previously started by Bonner students. Nine students and alumni chose to work on the Habitat for Humanity project.
Another service choice was the Parks and Recreation, led by sophomore Bonner Brianna Chamberlain. This consisted of picking up trash on the Gorge Trial.
Chamberlain said, “I was a bit disappointed by the Alumni attendance. But I understand they had a lot of things to do and they just had an important lunch. However I am happy I had the rare chance of working with the other Bonner students I wouldn’t usually work with.” This was the only group that only had Bonner students.
Service at Cope Environmental Center was led by junior Bonner Maggie Ashmore. This consisted of removing invasive species, such as honeysuckle, thorny trees and flowers. Seven students and two alums signed up to work at Cope. Ashmore said, “I was dreading this day, doing service on a homecoming Saturday, when my family is around. But the time went by fast and we accomplished a lot and had a good time.”
When everyone had signed up for his or her desired site, Watson gave each leader a camera to capture and document the day. Then off everyone went, armed with tools and good spirits as Watson and Sonia Smith, director of internship programs, wished them goodbye and good luck.
After a hard day of work, students and alums gathered in the Bonner Center for Service Learning and Vocation, located in the first floor of the Landrum Bolling Center. There, they had a chance to share their experiences and thoughts, while being rewarded with refreshments.
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