Student Development Assistants engage peers in week of thanksgiving

Published 11.21.2018

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Using an oversized Post-it note as a visual and conversation starter, Student Development Assistants recently shared the impact donors have on their Penn College experience. They referenced the importance of financial support from donors to help students earn “degrees that work,” then asked their peers to put their gratitude in writing.

“We really want to engage our classmates in what philanthropy looks like on campus,” said Erin N. Shaffer, a graphic design major from Williamsport. “The oversized Post-it notes were a creative way to engage and share our thanks with donors.”



Students' gratitude is writ large in "thank you" messages to donors.She pointed out that tuition alone does not cover “all of the amazing things” that comprise the transformational Penn College experience: Scholarships, facilities, lab equipment and extracurricular activities – are vital and made possible by the financial support from students' benefactors.

Students join the Penn College Wildcat in the “One Tray at a Time” benefit, during which the campus community loaded vintage cafeteria trays with nonperishables for The Cupboard. From left are Perry R. Leslie Wheat, a graphic design major from Millheim; Jordan M. Scott, of Cogan Station, enrolled in residential construction technology and management: building construction technology concentration; and Kory J. Zielinski, a manufacturing engineering technology student from Honesdale.Student Development Assistants also teamed up with Dining Services to battle hunger across campus as part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 10-18), soliciting contributions for The Cupboard. Hundreds of items and monetary gifts were added through the combined efforts.

The on-campus food pantry is able to meet hundreds of requests for assistance throughout the year due to the support across campus.

This year, Student Development Assistants asked their peers to “pay it forward” by donating their flex or declining meal-plan dollars to The Cupboard.

“The Cupboard is a great resource for our student body,” Shaffer said. “Students should be focusing on their next project or exam, not trying to figure out how they will pay for their next meal. The Cupboard lifts the burden and allows students to concentrate on their studies.

“We are so thankful for our giving campus community!”

Photos provided