National Volunteer Week 2005: A Week of Recognition

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

National Volunteer Week is a nationally recognized event that occurs every year April 17-23. The theme of this year's week is “Inspire by Example.” In a statement, Director of Student Volunteers and Service Learning Pat Robertson said, “the theme ‘Inspire by Example' is especially apt because it truly reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they serve.”

Nick Fitzgerald shoots some hoops with Jaylon Handle while volunteering for the Cox Children's Center

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation encouraged organizations to lend their support in choosing recipients for the President's Volunteer Service Award. Robertson said, “the award is for someone who stands out as an exemplary volunteer.” Environmental Studies Grad student Darien Siddal was the recipient of this year's award.

Robertson said National Volunteer Week is dedicated to a week of recognition more than volunteer service and that although it is a week of recognition a week of service was incorporated into it as well, with volunteers assisting at the Cox Children's Center in a variety of capacities. National Volunteer Week encourages its volunteers to continue to lend their services to others and rewards them for their contributions.

The Points of Light Foundation sponsors National Volunteer Week and according to their website, “National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Since then, every U.S. President has signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week.”

In celebration of National Volunteer Week two Recognition ceremonies were held honoring the volunteers as they continued to lend their services at the Cox Children's Center, lending their services even in their time of honor.

SAGE and Environmental Studies Sponsor Events for Earth Day

By Janee Mitchell - Feature Writer

Earth Day has been a national event since the 1970s. Students Allied for a Greener Earth hosted events in celebration of Earth Day on April 20-21.

Tih-Fen Ting, faculty advisor of SAGE, explains the ethnobotanic values of trees in Illinois

Tih-Fen Ting, faculty advisor of SAGE said the student organization recently got back together after approximately a ten-year hiatus. SAGE has meetings once a month and plans events with speakers from the EPA and other environmental organizations.

In light of Earth Day, Dr. Michele Morrone of Ohio University spoke to a group on the topic “Is Science Anti-Environmental?” The following day, the speaker encouraged students to experience nature firsthand.

Ting and SAGE member Jason Conn led a group of students through the campus nature trail. Conn narrated as the group approached trees unique to nature. Conn focused on ethnobotany, what he defined as the way different cultures evaluate the plant species.

Conn led the group through the trail where they saw many parts of campus they did not know existed. Such as the various tree life in the campus forest, like the Red Bud, Bur Oak, Ohio Buckeye, Osage Orange, Bald Cyprus, Wild Black cherry and various others.

Conn gave a detailed history of the trees' existence in Illinois and its ethnobotanic values. He described how the branches, leaves and fruits of the trees were used by different cultures as food, medicine and for commercial use. Conn also described in detail how various tribes used the various trees for jams, sore throats and colds, teas for toothaches and venereal diseases, among other things.

SAGE said the purpose of their nature day events is increase awareness among the campus community. The group was amazed as they travel the trail and saw the interesting tree species and various parts of the campus nature trail Conn and Ting said was started by a grad student in the 1970s. SAGE hopes to guide more tours in the fall to increase awareness.

National Volunteer Week 2005: A Week of Recognition

SAGE, Enviromental Studies sponsor events for Earth Day