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Elmira College Students Get Involved

Elmira, NY (09/17/2021) — Elmira College students have been busy getting involved recently. On Sept. 12, more than 100 first-year students spent an afternoon cleaning Eldridge Park, on Sept. 14 students signed up to join campus clubs, and on Sept. 16, members of the community came to meet students to talk about the partnerships they can form during a Community Engagement Fair.

All part of the College's mission to cultivate responsible community members who are committed to the ideals of community service, the events are a "great opportunity for the students to see how they can support the community and how the community can support them," said Holly Strickland from the John W. Jones Museum.

Strickland and her counterpart Talima Aaron were among the nearly 40 organizations on hand to speak to students at the Engagement Fair held in the Speidel gymnasium.

While there, students mingled and learned about various programs and events, finding organizations that align with their skills and interests. That was the case for Breana Millard '22, who was helping promote the Chemung County Historical Society. She and some fellow theatre students have found creative ways over the past couple of years to volunteer, including dramatic readings and storytelling, which help the organization bring the local history to life with today's digital and social media. For example, Millard can be seen on Facebook telling the story of Dr. Edwin Eldridge in a video series called the Ghost Walk Scripts.

Nick Koziol and Phil Shippers of the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region Alzheimer's Association said they had spoken to about many students and were excited by the rich dialog.

"The people involved in this event, from the organizers to the students, have been very professional," said Shippers. "I've been really impressed."

Like many of the organizations, the Alzheimer's Association has opportunities for students to volunteer either virtually or in person, including an upcoming fundraising walk on Oct. 2.

Class of '25 Patron Saint, Penny Appenzellar, assistant director of Financial Aid, was glad to see a large number of "her" first-year students at the fair. "I keep sending them messages and encouraging them to get involved," she said.

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Desiree Roy '25 and other Elmira College first-year students spent a day getting Eldridge Park ready for the winter months during their First-Year Service Day on Sunday, Sept. 12.

First-year students learned about some of the 70 clubs at Elmira College during the Sept. 14 Involvement Fair.

Students could spin the wheel for a small prize when they visited Nick Koziol (on the right) and Phil Shippers (on the left) of the Rochester and Finger Lakes Region Alzheimer's Association during the Sept. 16 Community Engagement Fair.

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