SIUE Freshmen Don’t Let Storms Keep Them Away from Citizenship
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Hundreds of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshmen students loaded onto buses Saturday, amidst torrential rains to participate in The SIUE Experience.
The goal of the SIUE Experience was to promote citizenship, one of the University’s values. Approximately 850 students braced the stormy conditions to take part.
“We had a productive day despite the rain,” said David Hagedorn, assistant director of Campus Recreation. Hagedorn was on a bus of approximately 50 students who went to Willoughby Farm.
The students split up into groups that worked on the following:
- Weeding of a garden area used as a food coop
- Cleaning out the areas where animals are kept
- Trail maintenance
“All of the students did a fantastic job. The task of cleaning up behind animals wasn’t too pleasant, but yet they still wanted to do it,” Hagedorn said. “I was with the group who cleared the pathway along the trail to increase safety and usability.
“It was a fun, rewarding day. But I heard that some groups were not able to get off of the bus to work because of how hard it rained at their designated location,” Hagedorn added.
Students also went to the following sites on Saturday: Arlington Wetlands, Granite City Community Garden, La Vista CSA Farm and Watershed Nature Center.
The SIUE Experience began Aug. 20 with hundreds of volunteers helping freshmen move in and ended Sunday with students enjoying different activities and meetings in the Morris University Center.
Photos:
David Hagedorn, assistant director of Campus Recreation, is shown on left on a bus of approximately 50 students headed to Willoughby Farm.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple shows the storm warning forecast on his cell phone while at La Vista CSA Farm.
Visiting with La Vista staff from left to right: Interim Chancellor Steve Hansen, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Parviz Ansari and Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Rachel Stack.
Shown during a rainy community service day at La Vista are from left to right: Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Rachel Stack, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Parviz Ansari, Interim Chancellor Steve Hansen and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple.
