From Mexico to the Appalachian Mountains, Jennifer Shurley spent a lot of time throughout high school, college and beyond helping a variety of people. Now, as Clemson’s associate director of civic engagement, she’s providing resources to students so they can have the same life-changing experiences.
This year marks the first chapter of Freedom by Design at Clemson University. The group’s first project was a big one, designing and building a handicap ramp for an elderly couple in Easley.
Lecturer Lydia Ferguson’s class objective is to get her students to step up their game as soon-to-be professionals and potential volunteer/community activists. An interesting goal for business and technical writing classes, but effective nonetheless.
Just after finals wrapped up in December, 16 fraternity and sorority life members and two leaders hopped a plane to the Dominican Republic where they spent the next eight days building a home. They left thinking they were going to change the life of others; they came back changed.
You wouldn’t think that MBA students and homeless people would have much in common, but an innovative volunteer program has brought them together in what is hoped will be only the first of many collaborations between Clemson at the Falls and the community in which it’s located.
Kathie Elmore spends her days thinking of creative ways to help people. The patients she sees every day don’t have funds for expensive tests to diagnose their illness level. As a Clemson student, she was one of the hundreds of nursing students who come into the University’s Sullivan Center to do clinical and volunteer hours.