Growing and Giving Back

 

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” These words from Helen Keller epitomize the events taking place across our campuses as we launch into the spring season and the final weeks of the semester.

Spring is a time for growth, and it’s been in full bloom these last few weeks as we’ve all enjoyed the warmth and sunshine the season has brought. Earlier this month, students at Bloomsburg and Lock Haven participated in The Big Event—a campus-wide day of service focused on sending student volunteers out into the community to complete service projects. I’m incredibly proud of the selflessness exhibited by our students and their willingness to give back to the communities our campuses call home. Over 1,000 students took part in The Big Event, making a big impact on the towns of Bloomsburg and Lock Haven. At Mansfield, students rallied together through the annual Paddy Murphy fundraiser to raise $10,000 for a local teacher battling cancer. The campus also hosted Relay for Life this month.

Bloomsburg students at the start of the Big Event 

Lock Haven students filled Jared Boxes during the Big Event 

Mansfield students gather during Paddy Murphy Week

Volunteerism centers around selflessness, and at this busy time of the semester when many priorities compete for our students’ time and attention, it’s inspiring to witness them take a step back to give back. I’m always incredibly proud of our students and their dedication to excelling academically. Our campuses are filled with future leaders who will go on to achieve great things and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. I have always believed that effective leadership is rooted in servant leadership, which is why it’s so heartening to see our students embracing these principles. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Our students are living this truth by doing work that matters, both in and out of the classroom.

We know that our students carry these values with them long after their days on campus. The generosity of our alumni prove it year after year. April has been a month of giving for our proud alumni and supporters as well. They are supporting our students in big ways through the All In Days of Giving, which took place earlier this month and raised over $375,000. These gifts make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and support valuable initiatives that lead directly to enhanced learning experiences and outcomes for our students.

Growth. Giving Back. In so many ways, this is what the college experience is all about. I often speak about our number one priority at Commonwealth University—student success. As president, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our students grow as individuals in their four years here. It’s even more rewarding to know that the students who came before them are instilling the value of giving back—demonstrating the truest measure of success.

Thank you, sincerely, to every student and supporter for the generosity of spirit and selflessness you have demonstrated this month. Your actions have made a difference in the lives of others!

    Bashar W. Hanna, President

Power of the student body

One of the many joys I receive from working in higher education is the opportunity to see young people grow into adults during their time as college students. Arriving on campus with narrow views of the world, these teenagers get to see beyond their small circle and become citizens focused on doing good.

I was reminded of the power and growth of the student body in a hand-written note (yes people still take time to send notes through the mail) sent to me by the McDaniel family of Shickshinny. The writer talked about the Bocce Bash held at the Nelson Field House in October. The McDaniel’s praised all the student volunteers, but singled out junior Nora Yakscoe, a special education major, who despite some medical issues of her own, put in many hours of work in advance of the event to help ensure its success for the hundreds of participants. The McDaniel’s said the work done that day shows the true nature of BU’s student body which is “loving, caring and exemplary.”

Well said! It’s a spirit that I have seen on display throughout my short tenure as president of BU with events like the breast cancer walk, the BU Dance Ensemble dance marathon for the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, the Suitcase Project for foster children in the area which provides them with a nylon duffel bag filled age-appropriate toys and personal items or most recently the BU softball team pooling their own money to buy a plane ticket so a teammate studying in England could get home to see her mom injured in an auto accident to name just a few.

I know this ‘power of the student body’ will only continue to grow and develop over the coming months and years and look forward to seeing how it impacts both the students and our community.

From me, my wife Deanna and our children Christian and Lauren, it is our hope in this time of peace and joy, that you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season and a Happy New Year!

     Bashar