Walsh University launched the new academic year with its inaugural ‘Service Saturday,’ an initiative organized by the Office of Student Affairs. This event brought together 300 freshmen and staff who volunteered across several different sites, embodying Walsh’s mission to educate students as leaders in service to others. As part of Welcome Weekend, this campus-wide service day marked the beginning of the university experience with a strong focus on community engagement and service.
The day began at 9 a.m., with freshmen arriving eager to participate in meaningful projects both on campus and throughout the community. Kristi Campbell, Chief Student Conduct Officer, played a key role in ensuring the event's success by coordinating the teams throughout the day while volunteers contributed to the following projects:
Community Sites:
Beech Creek Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve, Alliance: 23 students, led by Garrett O’Connell, Graduate Assistant for Intramurals and Orientation, assisted with weeding and general grounds maintenance.
Stark Parks, Petros Lake Park: 19 students, along with Nick Morris, Faculty Director of the Blouin Scholars Program, and Sydney Pepper, Graduate Assistant for Conduct and Community Standards, cleaned up litter and maintained signs and structures along the Mindfulness Walk, a trail designed to promote mental health and self-care.
Lighthouse Ministries: 18 students, accompanied by Rachel Hosler, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Meredith Soduk, Director of Academic Support Services, prepared the Southeast Canton site that supports local youth, for the back-to-school season.
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank: Ten students, led by Kim Graves, Director of University Relations, sorted and labeled food donations, providing 8,908 meals for community members in need at the Canton location.
Windsor Medical Center, North Canton: Five students, along with Megan Huston, Director of Culture and Belonging, spent time with senior residents, singing songs and playing instruments. They enjoyed our students so much that they invited Walsh to collaborate on an Adopt-a-Grandpa program.
On-Campus Projects:
CAVS Closet: Five students, guided by Drenda Collins and Isabel Gill, Coordinator for Student Activities/Hall Director, organized donations of professional attire in the CAVS Closet, located in Lemmon Residence Hall. This resource offers free business and casual clothing to students preparing for their professional careers, helping to alleviate financial barriers.
Students in the following campus groups, led by Melanie Timco, Director of Prevention Education and Programming, earned their Interpersonal Leadership Endorsement through their impactful work:
Aultman Hospital’s Serenity Program: Students assembled 100 self-care kits for forensic nurses at Aultman Hospital, supporting the Serenity Program's mission to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for survivors of violence. The kits were funded through a grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Operation: Gratitude: Students created care packages for military personnel and first responders, contributing to a nationwide effort to boost the morale of those serving the country.
Cavs Commuter Words of Affirmation Cards: Students crafted handwritten notes of encouragement, which will be attached to snacks in the commuter lounge, offering a cheerful surprise for their fellow commuting students.
Walsh Counseling Services Sunshine Bags: Students made handwritten notes of kindness and scripture, mints, and stress balls.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to all the volunteers who made a positive impact on both the community and the Walsh University campus!
