Service is key to Class of 2011

If you want to describe how the Class of 2011 has served others, you would need a bevy of verbs. They built, danced, sang, ran, petitioned, collected, cleaned, baked, and grew (or wore fake) mustaches to class. They donated business attire, canned goods, their time, energy, and even blood. Forty-four of them have completed at least 60 hours of public service work and will be recognized at Commencement as Public Interest Advocates.

The Class of 2011 and their peers  

• Hosted more than 30 events to benefit 23 organizations and causes, including Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief, Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, local food banks, animal adoption, and cancer research;
• Helped fund 15 full-time public interest fellowships; and
• Provided tax assistance to hundreds of low and moderate-income taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. 

“Participating in philanthropic endeavors, such as Relay for Life, reminds me that the stress I feel over classes,papers, and in my clinic work is nothing compared to the fight for life that many cancer patients are facing,” explained Megan Mazzoni ’11 who raised more than $5,800 for Relay for Life with classmate Christine Arena ’11; the Law School’s Relay for Life team finished first out of 156 Penn State student teams. Mazzoni served as a legislative and policy intern in the Children’s Advocacy Clinic.

Kevin Gardner ’11, co-chair of Project STAFF, recently led a group of students in a central Pennsylvania Habitat for Humanity project. “We helped those in need take the first steps of rebuilding their lives,” he said. It was one of three build days for Habitat for Humanity held this academic year.