UMO Students Provide Community Outreach
UMO Students Provide Community Outreach
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK- University of Mount Olive students enrolled in fundamentals of management, MGT 311, had to complete a community outreach project this semester. Under the direction of the Professor David Hill, division chair of Management Systems, the students exceeded all expectations as they made a lasting impact in their local community with their projects.
“Most students would complain and would not look forward to the experience,” said Hill. “I was delightfully surprised to see how this group of students were different. They seemed to look forward to this opportunity with anticipation. Even as nontraditional students, they were willing to give up what little free time they have to volunteer.”
The MGT 311 class split up into three groups and volunteered at the Salvation Army coat drive, the Hub Farm, and Salvation Army angel tree project in the RTP community.
At the coat drive, the students volunteered at the check-in desk. The students met with families in need and helped them select coats for the coming winter. Student Antonia Webb said, “It was a very humbling experience to watch all those people standing in line to get coats for themselves and their children.”
At the Hub Farm, students worked with weeding the discovery gardens, transferring plants, assembling new fences, and planting new vegetation. One Hub Farm volunteer Leah Lewis stated, “We were able to work quickly. We could really see the farm changing over the time we were there!”
At the Salvation Army angel tree project, the UMO students worked at the sign-up desk. The angel tree project is for families in need and provides new clothing or toys for children. When asked about the volunteer project, student Keisha Alston stated, “Without kind and generous people, the angel tree program would not be possible. I think it’s priceless to be able to help families with presents at Christmas.”
Not only did these UMO students receive a sense of accomplishment from their hard work and community outreach, but also many were humbled by the experiences.
“These students had wonderful experiences and found that, by working together, anything is possible,” concluded Hill.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
