Each semester, many Weber State University students pull themselves away from their academic demands to volunteer within their community and on campus. Projects range from homeless outreach to the Special Olympics. Students coordinate these activities from campus and are responsible for many feats of altruism within Ogden.
One of these students is Melissa Richards, the chair of the Center for Community Engaged Learning. She participated in the Make a Difference Day in May.
“We helped fix up and get the gardens ready at Oasis Community Garden in Ogden,” Richards said. “It was so much fun, and it was great, because we got the garden beds ready for people of the community to come and plant in.”
Richards said that service has improved her experience at WSU.
“Service has helped improve my college experience by allowing me to give back to the community,” she said. “It also gives my mind a break from all my schoolwork and makes me so happy.”
Richards said she recommends all students get involved in volunteering.
Another leader within the CCEL is Ibrahim Sirptathane, the special service events chair within the service team. Working with organizations such as the Red Cross and the Utah Special Olympics, he coordinates WSU’s efforts to aid projects around the WSU and Ogden community.