SVU volunteers carry experiences in careers, life

By Kathryn Heaberg

Volunteer efforts by Southern Virginia University students demonstrate their commitment to the school's motto: "Learn . . . that life is service."

Dr. Rodney Smith, president of SVU, said at the Jan. 24 Buena Vista City Council meeting that SVU students logged 15,199 volunteer hours in Buena Vista, Lexington and Rockbridge County during the 2004-05 academic year.

Smith said the school’s mission is to "train leader-servants." SVU students use the skills they learn on campus to build relationships in the community.

SVU is well-known for catering to students from the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. However, the university is not owned by the Mormon church but the beliefs and standards of the faith are encouraged.

Religion classes are not a graduation requirement. However, all students must fulfill two service-learning credits. Ida Jorgenson, coordinator of the SVU Student Support Center, said most students complete the two credits over the course of four semesters. They may decide to devote their time to four different organizations during those semesters, said Jorgenson.

SVU students serve their community not just to fulfill a graduation requirement, Smith said. “The students often continue on because they enjoy the experience so much.”  According to a report from the school, more than half of student volunteer hours were completed to fulfill service-learning requirements.

Their commitment to public service doesn’t end when students leave Buena Vista. Smith told the story of two students who started out helping local Buena Vista businesses increase their profitability. After graduating from SVU, the students moved to Bolivia to help small businesses there. Another recent graduate has started a project in Africa to help children who have lost their parents to AIDS.

A plaque in Jorgenson’s office reads, “Where much is given - Much is expected." As SVU students give back to the local community, they also receive direct experience in fields related to their major. Jorgenson said many times the volunteer experiences influence students' career decisions. Even though SVU does not have an education major, students have the opportunity to student-teach every semester through their service-learning credits.

Jorgenson said she helps each student find an organization that is an appropriate match for his or her strengths and interests. Students interested in a medical career can be found helping out at Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Shenandoah Valley Health Care and Project Horizon. Fine arts majors volunteer at local schools teaching music lessons and assisting with theater productions.

Jeri Schaff, director of the Maury River Senior Center in Buena Vista, had only good things to say about the SVU students she works with. “They are an extraordinary asset to the community,” said Schaff.

Even before the new Maury River Senior Center opened about a year ago, SVU students came to paint, sand and help with every aspect of the rebuilding project, said Schaff. “They have been an absolute lifesaver since the beginning," said Schaff. Students can be found there almost every day of the week, giving hand massages and helping to maintain the Maury River Senior Center’s web site.

Before coming to Maury River Senior Center, Schaff was the director of United Way of Lexington-Rockbridge County for 10 years. She said she worked with many Washington and Lee students during her time there. She said she has noticed a huge difference between SVU and W&L students, although one is “not better or worse."

“W&L students want to know what the pay-off is,” said Schaff. She also said W&L students often are most interested in the organizational aspects of projects, and happier doing a one-time project.

In comparison, Schaff said, SVU students don’t wait to see a purpose. “They see what needs to be done, they don’t need to be told what needs to be done," said Schaff.

To Schaff, the difference appears to be cultural. For many SVU students service-learning has been a constant part of their life, and SVU’s emphasis on service may have been what attracted them to the school in the first place, said Schaff.

“People are starting to figure out that when something needs to be done in the community, they can call the college and they’ll find the kids to do it,” said Schaff.

Southern Virginia University

Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.

Lead supervisor:      Prof. Claudette Artwick

Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming

Editing supervisor:  Prof. Pamela Luecke

Technical supervisor:  Michael Todd