Community service a top priority for UW-Whitewater students

Community ServiceKelly Kleinhans is one of the many faces of UW-Whitewater community involvement. The elementary education major is engaged on campus as a Warhawk Ambassador, Peer Mentor and Student Orientation Leader, as well as a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Student Optimists and the Student Wisconsin Education Association. Like many UW-Whitewater students, Kleinhans has made community service a top priority.

"It's hard for me to say 'no' to things," she said. "I think it's good to surround yourself with people and opportunities. I always feel like I've accomplished so much."

UW-Whitewater students have accomplished a lot over the last several years. Since 2004, 14,701 students have donated nearly $140,000 to 855 local agencies. Those same students have conducted almost 65,000 hours of community service. According to Leadership Advisor Kim Clarksen, these numbers speak volumes of the willingness of UW-Whitewater students to serve others.

"Students are looking for ways to make a difference in the world," she said. "The greater amount of service can also be attributed to the number of students who push for others to get involved. For example, at Make a Difference Day we had approximately 950 student volunteers."

Not only does community service help students make a difference, Clarksen adds, but it also plays a key role in developing well-rounded individuals. "Students need to leave campus with a strong education as well as experiences outside of the classroom. Volunteering provides opportunities to help others while discovering personal strengths as well as issues they are passionate about."

Working with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Lunch Buddies program has heightened Kleinhans' social awareness. She remembers one lunch buddy in particular, a 5-year-old whose father had recently committed suicide. "For such a young person, he'd already been through so much. Yet he was always so happy to see me. I found it amazing how one lunch hour a week made such a world of difference for him. That was a very eye-opening experience."

Not only has Kleinhans become more open, she's also realized how much she truly enjoys giving of herself to others. "I always feel good after spending time with my lunch buddy. I could be having the worst day and then I see the smiles on their faces and I forget about everything else. There isn't a better feeling in the world."