Student Perspectives: Italy Mission Trip

Taylor Griffies is a sophomore pre-pharmacy major from Roanoke Rapids, N.C. She and a team of students and staff recently traveled to the Rome, Italy area to serve the Istituto Evangelico Biblico Italiano, a mission camp in the mountains of Italy. Check out what she has to say about her experience.

Why did you want to go on this particular mission trip?
This trip really interested me because it was my first opportunity to go on an international mission trip. I had previously been on three missions inside the U.S., and really wanted to expand outside of that territory. When this trip came along, it was too perfect! It was the perfect timing for me, the right opportunity, and not to mention it was a beautiful place that I have I always dreamed of going.

What were your expectations of the trip? I definitely expected to be challenged. It was my first trip on a plane and to a foreign country. I also expected to walk a lot, which we did. But as far as missions go, I really expected that I would fall in love with the camp at Isola del gran Sasso, and I did!

Did you have any hesitations or fears about the trip? I'm not sure that I was really scared of anything, I knew that I was in good hands and that everything was taken care of. I was just really excited about the whole experience, I didn't want negative emotions to get in the way of it!

What did you learn? How did you benefit from your time there? Italy is a very different place than America, and it took some time to get use to. The culture is so different that I was always careful to ask about certain things before I did them. The benefit from going to a different country is tremendous, and I think it is something that everyone should get to experience. You really learn how to interact with other people, and language isn't always that huge of a barrier.

What did you give to the people you met? How did they benefit from knowing you? I think we made our mark on Italy without a doubt. We made our way through several missions sites and lended a hand where it was needed most. At the camp, we made so many friends with the workers there that were our age, and on the last night we made sure that we left each of them with a Campbell t-shirt or hoodie to remember us by. We also became Facebook friends, and I still keep in touch with many of them. I think the mark we left on them is as valuable as the mark they left on us. I'll never forget them or the way I felt God move for us, and I know they won't either.

Do you have a favorite memory you would like to share? I don't have one favorite, that's impossible. But the best thing that I remember is how much we laughed. It didn't take long for a group of strangers to become a family, and families laugh and play together. Everyone had the moment when they were the center of attention and everyone was laughing and joking with them, and that is something that I'll always remember.

What kind of work did you do? We worked at three different sites while in Italy. At the Missionaries of Charity we washed windows, mopped, and then helped serve dinner to the residents. At the Salvation Army, we helped to clear out a room that they wanted to turn into a store for the people there. After the room was cleared we sanded the walls down and prepared it for paint. We also had a boys v. girls contest to see who could better assemble a shelving unit. Let's just say that Dr. English lost, and was not too happy about how crooked his turned out. At the camp in Isola we did a little of everything: landscaping, painting, washing, stonework.

Anything else you would like to add? Italy was beautiful, and one day I would love to go back. I'm just extremely thankful that God allowed us to go, to be so helpful and make a difference, and to let us travel safely and work for His glory. It was such an amazing experience, and I'll never forget any of it. 

A few more words from Taylor

My trip to Italy is something that will last forever. I can still see myself there, and I definitely wish that I was. But more importantly, I got to come back home and bring back everything I learned about the Italian culture and myself. One thing that has changed my life about this trip is that I left the U.S. with strangers, and returned with new friends and family. I knew only one person when I left, and that was something that was a little scary for me. I wasn't exactly friends with my team members, I barely knew their names. But now? They're my family. This mission team was assembled so well, something I have Ms. Terry Tucker to thank for. It was so amazing to come home with so many knew friends. It's hard to think that on a campus as small as Campbell's that most of us had never met, but it's true. Jumping out of your comfort zone and meeting knew people can never be a bad thing when it turns out as well as it did for me.

I'm so thankful that all of us meshed so well and were able to work together for Christ and to do His will. And now that we're back, and reality has set in, we have to go back to our normal lives as college students. But, we've all decided to stay together. We've made plans to have frequent dinners where we cook Italian food and all sit around one table and talk about our trip (and afterwards watch a Disney movie for Chris Wilson). A few of us girls are in the processes of looking for a book to follow for a Bible study that we've decided to create to keep us focused and connected while back at campus. I'm really excited that our little Italian family has decided to stay together now that we're not so Italian anymore. It's very encouraging to have a group behind you that is so wonderful and devoted to the same things that you are.

    

I think it's easy to say that going to Italy changed a lot of our lives. We've grown up a lot, seen a lot of knew things (that just happen to be very old), worked really hard, and bonded forever. Italy will always be a favorite memory of mine, and I hope that it never fades. But with the help of my new Italian family, I don't think that's possible. In Ecclesiastes 10:19 it says "A feast is made for laughter," and if there is anything it's the Italian's know how to do it's to feast and to laugh. And now, thanks to them, we know how too. Life is a beautiful gift, and I'll never take it for granted. It was an amazing trip that God took us on, and I'm forever grateful for it! Grazie!

Team member Emily Bratton shared a few of her photos with us. See them all on Facebook.

School's Out!

As you transition out of exam week and into summer life, keep in mind that down time doesn't have to be boring. Montana Campus Compact has a list of ways you can donate your time while savoring a few months without homework and tests.

A few highlights:

- Summer story hour at your local library

- Become a Big Brother or Big Sister

- Read a newspaper to an elderly person

- Clean a neighbor's yard

The smallest act can make the biggest difference. Also consider how summer volunteering might complement your major. It may lead to an internship or a job.

Happy Summer!

E-mail Sara Acosta with any questions surrounding volunteerism or service learning at Campbell.

Inasmuch Day Recap

On the morning of April 14 a familiar sight filled Academic Circle: professors holding project signs, bleary-eyed students bee-lining for the donut table, and a sea of matching t-shirts.

As the smell of Sherry’s donuts wafted through the brisk air, the fifth annual Inasmuch Day was about to begin.

Inasmuch volunteers gather on Academic Circle.
Photo by Sara Acosta

“But Inasmuch Day is not about us,” said Campus Minister Faithe Beam as she offered encouragement and motivation with opening remarks to the crowd of volunteers. “It’s about loving our neighbors and meeting their needs. Today is about giving ourselves to the community.”

Campus Ministry’s Terry Tucker, ministry associate and coordinator for serving and sending ministries, echoed that the goal for this year’s Inasmuch Day was two-fold, to expand impact and to communicate the importance of putting others first.

“We wanted to increase our project base as well as see a broader volunteer base regarding the number of faculty/staff versus students.  We saw this happen this year as we added five new projects and approximately 60 faculty/staff participate over the 25 from 2011,” she said.

“My hope was also that our volunteers would see the significance in serving others as Jesus calls us to in Matthew 25:40. To whatever area of service we are drawn, it involves the lives of others.”

Tucker added that the five new projects were Appleworks School, the Harnett Food Pantry, S.A.F.E. of Harnett County, Triton High School, and Kicking4Hunger.

Campbell students at Cape Fear Christian Academy.
Photo by Billy Peterson

While pictures tell a thousand words, the numbers for Inasmuch tell a story of their own. One of only two universities in the country participating as a campus body, Campbell’s Inasmuch Day engaged 450 volunteers in 30 projects that served approximately 23 thousand people. The day’s work and projects are valued at $10 thousand.

Campbell further expanded Inasmuch Day by incorporating it into Accepted Students Day, giving high school seniors seriously considering Campbell a glimpse into life as a student. The approximately 200 accepted students volunteered with Kids on the Run and Backpack Buddies, and made children’s busy bags for hospital emergency rooms, hygiene kits for Beacon Rescue Mission, and treat bags for Facilities Management.

Arc of Harnett County
Photo by Billy Peterson

An event of such magnitude doesn’t just happen. In January Tucker convened a team of 14 faculty, staff, and students to organize the day.

“The logistics include working with community partners to secure projects, enlisting projects leaders, online registration, assigning 450 volunteers to 30 projects, project leader training, media, service day check-in procedures to insure all teams are equipped to move out into the community, and much more."

"This was also our second year of working alongside Admissions to include the accepted students” she added.

  

Beam echoed that the day also wouldn’t be possible without stellar volunteers.

“I am so proud of our students, faculty, and staff who volunteer to wake up early on Saturday to share their time and resources with the community,” she said. “Days like this make me especially proud of Campbell.”

Junior biology pre-professional student Erica Hammond is one of those volunteers, one of many to host Arc of Harnett County’s developmentally disabled children and their families at the Irwin Belk Track for an afternoon of inflatables and snow cones.

Project Leader Melissa Psaltis
Photo by Courtney McGowan

“I chose the Arc project because it’s a great way to give back to the community and to interact with special needs kids to help them feel accepted and special,” she said. “They are just such optimistic kids and a joy to be around.”

Arc project leader Melissa Psaltis, a student in School of Counseling, said that the fun and games go beyond entertaining the kids.

“It means as much to the parents as it does to the kids. Seeing their kids smiling and happy means a lot to them,” she said. “And we wouldn’t be able to do this without all the volunteers.”

While the volunteers sign up with a motivation to bring joy to others, project leader at Beacon Rescue Mission and physician assistant student Jessica Robbins found that what goes around comes around on Inasmuch Day.

“When we went to pay for lunch after finishing the project, our waitress came up and told us that ‘good deeds do not go unnoticed’ and that a couple had seen our shirts and paid for our group’s lunch and left before we could thank them or see who they were.  It is so touching to know that people recognize what we are doing and appreciate it,” she said.

Arc of Harnett County
Photo by Courtney McGowan

MBA student Rebekah Barker led one of this year’s new projects, a partnership with local non-profit organization Kicking4Hunger, whose mission is to run free soccer clinics in exchange for food donations that go back to the local food bank.

“It was so rewarding to put on this Kicking4Hunger camp in conjunction with Inasmuch. We ended up raising 127 pounds of food. Gabe Whaley, founder of Kicking4Hunger, mentioned that the food we raised was enough to feed five families of four for an entire week—it was more than we could have ever asked for,” said Barker.

Campus Ministry Graduate Assistant and divinity student Tyler Ward summed up the Inasmuch experience.

“Inasmuch allows us the chance to serve with the greater community. It’s a great opportunity for the campus community and our neighbors to serve together,” he said.

By Sara Acosta, AmeriCorps VISTA with reporting by student Courtney McGowan

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Click here to view the complete photo album on Facebook.

For more information on Inasmuch at Campbell, e-mail Terry Tucker.

Photo Essay: Human Trafficking Exhibit

Like Spring Fling, the Human Trafficking Exhibit on March 26 is another event so interactive and impacting that words cannot do justice.

The Exhibit was the work of students John Mark McGee, Lindsay Frye, and Jordan Zepher. They returned from the PASSION 2012 conference burdened to share the tragedy of human trafficking with the Campbell community. The event featured a series of interactive stations, statistics, and fictional stories about human trafficking. 

Human trafficking by the numbers
27,000,000 million people are slaves today.
The slave industry is a $32 billion business.
1 person is all it takes to make a difference.

 Coffee, cocoa, rice, and cotton are examples of goods likely produced by 

forced labor that is sourced by human trafficking.

Lindsay: "I want people to know that slavery still exists."

Jordan: "College students can do so much, more than we realize. 

By being aware we're already heading in the right direction." 

Left to right: Jordan, John Mark, Lindsay holding the cross

with students' sticky note prayers attached. 

John Mark: "I was shocked when I first heard about this monstrosity because of the injustice." 

Lindsay: "We spent a lot of time, planning, and praying for this event. 

If one person's heart was moved like ours was, it was worth it."

Approximately 200 students attended the exhibit.

Jordan: "My heart was broken by the injustice, and all it took was for me to open my eyes." 

John Mark: "I would love for our campus to be knowledgeable of the facts and for 

them to feel the need to raise awareness." 

Lindsay: "The purpose of the exhibit was to make the issue real for the students. 

We wanted them to see it, not just hear someone tell them about it."

Jordan: "We wanted to inform the community with what human trafficking 
is and how they can combat it, either with prayer, letter writing to the 
government, telling their friends, or looking for signs of abuse."

Thirty-six students wrote letters to Congress at the exhibit.

Human Trafficking Resources

Polaris Project  For a world without slavery

International Justice Mission To rescue thousands, protect millions and prove that justice for the poor is possible

MATTOO Men against the trafficking of others 

InvisibleChildren Do more than just watch. 

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To view the complete Facebook photo album click here.

For more information on social justice awareness at Campbell contact Sara Acosta.

Campus Ministry & BSCNC Spring Fling

"Can you paint a hamburger on my face?"

"Do you want to wear a clown nose?"

"Would you like a picture with Gaylord?"

Things said only at Spring Fling, the annual day camp event for special needs adults. Spring Fling is a 20+ year old tradition and partnership between Campus Ministry and the Baptist State Convention. Because words can't fully describe the joy of the day, here is a series of pictures that will. 

Spring Fling by the numbers:
180 happy campers
100 enthusiastic volunteers
1 freezer full of Sunny Ski's ice cream
1 awesome women's basketball team
1 awesome cheerleading team

∞ fun

∞ hugs

Misty was ecstatic to get a photo with a cheerleader.

 The women's basketball team were celebrities.

Tommy was rocking his great "I am somebody" shirt.

Everyone wanted a photo with Gaylord!

The rubber duck team is ready to go.

Who doesn't love a balloon/paper butterfly hat?!

 Debbie asked for a rainbow to be painted on her hand.

Everyone is a clown at Spring Fling.

John and John Mark worked on a thank-you banner.

Volunteers at the balloon pop station.

To see the complete photo album click here.

For more information about Spring Fling e-mail Tyler Ward.

White House Honors

Campbell is proud to announce its fifth consecutive acceptance to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll!

According to the Corporation for national and Community Service website linked above, "The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, launched in 2006, annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement by recognizing institutions that achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve."

The Honor Roll website also reported these stats compiled from applicant institutions across the country.

The application covers areas of service such as project sustainability, community impact, and student engagement. Among others Campbell highlighted its partnership with Baptist Fellowship of Angier, the 2011 MLK Day of Service, and the Pharmacy School's service learning initiative.

Congratulations to the students, faculty, and staff in Buies Creek for this great honor. Your work made the award possible!

To learn more about the Corporation for National and Community Service, watch a couple clips from this video.

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Read the full list of Honor Roll honorees here.

Upcoming Events

With Spring Break long gone and warm weather here to stay, spring time at Campbell also means a busy few weeks before the semester ends.

Between your classes, clubs, and social life, it can be tough to keep up with other activities. Here's an unofficial guide to the rest of the semester's activities related to service. To add an event please e-mail Sara Acosta.


March 24: Campus Ministry Spring Fling, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Convocation Center
Spend the morning playing, singing, eating, and dancing with developmentally disabled adults.
Contact: Tyler Ward

March 26: Peace Corps Info Session, 6 p.m., Maddox 130
The Peace Corps is an international service organization that seeks to build the capacity of people around the world. 
Contact: Campbell Department of Public Health

March 26: Human Trafficking Exhibit, 4 - 6 p.m., Turner Auditorium
Walk through various re-created scenes of human trafficking and learn more about the global problem that takes place close to home.
Contact: Sara Acosta

March 28: Letter Writing for Human Trafficking, 12:30 - 4 p.m. in front of D. Rich
Write letters to your state and federal representatives to raise awareness of and/or to ask for policy changes regarding human trafficking.
Contact: Sara Acosta

March 29: Human Trafficking Discussion, 6 p.m., Turner Auditorium 
A panel of experts will discuss various perspectives of human trafficking and how you can help.
Contact: Sara Acosta

April 14: Inasmuch Day, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the local commjunity
Campbell's fifth annual Inasmuch Day places Campbell students, faculty, and staff in the community for a day of ministry and service to our neighbors. To sign up click here.
Contact: Terry Tucker

SHINE Spotlights Service

What do you get when you combine a heart for service, strong leadership, and a cool name? SHINE, the newest Campus Ministry student group formed for women by women.

Junior Jessica Beaver is the president of the ministry whose focus is serving the community together. She shared with us a little bit about the new group and how interested Camel-ettes can get involved.

Junior Jessica Beaver,
President of SHINE

What inspired you to start a SHINE chapter here?

I was asked by the director of Women's Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMUNC) to start a SHINE group. I also wanted to see a place on campus for women to come together in service and fellowship.

Where did SHINE come from?

There isn’t a long history to SHINE. It was an idea thought up about five years ago by a group in the WMU. They came up with the name and what SHINE would look like. Our name means Serving God, Helping others, Inspiring believers, Networking community, and Experiencing God. We are the first campus to have a SHINE group, so we are making history as we go. It’s really exciting to be part of something that is ‘history in the making’.

What is SHINE's mission?

The mission statement of SHINE at Campbell is “A Voice for the Voiceless.” Through SHINE, God is giving a voice to those who are hurting, searching, praying, growing, learning, and serving. We strive to work as a body of Christ, uplifting, enlightening, and encouraging one another as sisters in Christ. Basically, we are a missions-minded group. We focus on different mission opportunities, which range from getting involved in events on campus, helping in the community and supporting missionaries around the world.

What does SHINE want to do on campus?

We want to build a community of women that have a passion for serving God and worshiping together. God has already done amazing things on this campus and we are excited to see what God will do through SHINE.

Why are you excited about SHINE?

There are so many things I’m excited about! I am really excited that we are a new group and God is creating this amazing ministry through everyone who comes to SHINE.

Interested in SHINE? Here's the skinny:

• Meetings take place every Monday at 8 p.m. in the Memorial House.
• The atmosphere is casual, like a coffee house.
• The women do a service project once or twice a month.
• E-mail Jessica with questions or for more information.

Interfaith Service Potluck

Campbell is continuing its participation in the President's Interfaith & Community Service Campus Challenge with a third Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue on February 22, this time as a potluck that will feature a service project and a display on the role of religion and faith in Black History by the Multicultural Council. 

When it comes to appreciating other cultures through faith and friendship, sophomore French major Taylor Smith is a pro. As a student leader in the Challenge, Taylor's input and passion has been instrumental. Check out what Taylor has to say about the intersection of faith and community service. Keep on reading to learn more about the potluck.

Sophomore Taylor Smith

S@C: What drew you to the interfaith service challenge?
Taylor: I was drawn to the Interfaith & Community Service Campus Challenge when i heard it presented in CUW. It sounded like a wonderful opportunity to be involved in service and learning opportunities with people from all different backgrounds of faiths.

S@C: Can you explain the interfaith concept in your own words and why it's important?
Taylor: I believe that the concept of interfaith is focused on learning, growing, and kindness. We learn about the faiths of others in order to be more aware and accepting of the world around us, which in turn helps us to grow in our faith, and to be more compassionate to others. It's important in that it not only helps us connect with other people, but it also helps all people to pull together to participate in acts of service, charity, and the bettering of the world we live in.

S@C: Do you see a connection between faith and service?
Taylor: There is absolutely a connection between faith and service. Every religious doctrine contains multiple instances of the importance of service and helping others. By uniting different faiths, a great deal of service can be accomplished. Generosity and kindness are blind to faith affiliation and are appreciated by everyone.

S@C: What aspect of the next interfaith dinner are you looking forward to the most?
Taylor: I am really looking forward to the potluck element of the dinner and seeing what various students bring in that represents them. Breaking bread with someone helps you lear more about their faith tradition. I'm also looking forward to meeting new students who are new to the interfaith dinners!

Potluck Sneak Peek
If Taylor's excitement has inspired you to attend the potluck but you're still uneasy, have no fear. Below are sample questions from the pile of dialogue cards that will be on your table. Keep in mind that the dinner program is a dialogue and not a conversation, meaning that each participant will respond without a reaction (positive or negative) from any table members.

When have you found it difficult to connect to God, or Source or a higher inspiration? What was the circumstance? How did you break through?

Have you ever been asked to do or say something that went against your faith or belief system? How did you respond?

Faith often changes as we grow older. Are you the same spiritual or religious person you were as a child? How have your beliefs changed?

Have you experienced unconditional love – either from you to others, or from others to you? What was the situation? How did it impact your life?

If you have kitchen facilities and like to cook, please bring a dish of food that represents your culture. To sign up for the dinner, click here.

For more information on the interfaith service potluck, e-mail Tyler Ward or Sara Acosta.

MLK Week of Service Recap

Any Campbell staff member or professor can tell you instances in which they were especially proud of their students. This year's MLK Week of Service was one of those times for Campus Ministry and the Multicultural Council.


Nearly 300 volunteers recorded acts of service during MLK Week, and the final number may actually be higher if not all volunteers reported their projects. We can't forget to mention Rev. Brenda Girton - Mitchell of the U.S. Department of Education. Her visit brought encouragement and praise from the Department's Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the home base of the President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Her charm and inspiring words in Divinity School Chapel and CUW made our week-long celebration of Dr. King's life extra special.

Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell speaks with the card making crew.

Sometimes understanding the impact of service isn't easy. Does it matter if I pick up this trash in the river? Is a soldier going to really appreciate my homemade card? The answer is yes. 


What may be a small and insignificant act to you may mean the world to someone else because they need to experience that kindness. Environmental stewardship, soldier appreciation, voter registration, and all the other MLK Week of Service projects are examples of ways you can take a little bit of time to make a big difference.

Blood Drive

60 volunteers

38 units of blood

Donations will go to 114 different people

Cards for Soldiers

53 Lillington Senior Center volunteers made 255+ cards

9 students/faculty made 25 cards

Park/Stream Clean Up

165 faculty/staff/student volunteers cleaned 355 pounds of trash from local environments

Voter Registration

32 volunteers registered 95 students

Interfaith Food Drive

17 students collected or donated 50 lbs. of food for Harnett Food Pantry

We owe a special thanks to our project leaders: Dr. Jenn Latino, Dr. Rene Ibarra, and Dr. Michael Larsen. 

A student registers to vote during the MLK Week of Service.

Click here to see the entire photo album on Facebook.

MLK Week of Service

Chances are you've heard about this year's MLK Week of Service, formerly the Day of Service. It's a big deal because it celebrates a hero of American history. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached the gospel of service everywhere he went. His sermons, speeches, and rally cries all point towards engaging with our fellow human beings. 


And what better way to do that than through service? Nathan Brunson, a 2011 graduate from the Communication Studies Department, says just that in his recent blog post about his time serving in City Year, a national service program that places recent college graduates in inner city schools to be mentors and tutors. Check out his post and our interview with him below.

Republished from "MLK Day: Leave a legacy of service" on January 8 from Nathan's blog.

Campbell Alumnus Nathan Brunson 
('11) poses in the Big Apple.

This is an op-ed I was asked to write for City Year's upcoming MLK Day of service. These opinions are mine and not affiliated with City Year.  

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” I doubt this is the first time you’ve read these famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I know I’m not the first service-based non-profit volunteer to quote the revered activist whose life we commemorate on Monday, January 16th. 

But even if King’s words have been belabored to the point of redundancy, we can never overemphasize his simple message: service equals greatness. This is why I choose to spend MLK Day by serving in East Harlem with City Year New York.

As a tutor and mentor at PS/MS 57 in East Harlem, I often find myself telling the students I work with that they can do something great with their lives. That’s not just something I say lightly; these kids are truly special. 

Jalen is one of the fifth graders in our after school program. He is a great athlete. Sometimes at recess we play basketball together and of course I have to let his classmates score on me every once in a while. But when it’s just me against Jalen, there are no deliberate bricks; I try my hardest and he still beats me.Tony is another of the gifted students I work with. He has a great mind. When his fourth grade class was studying haikus, most other kids were stuck counting syllables on their fingers while Tony was analyzing the poet’s word choice and conceptualizing ideas like tone and metaphor. 

But regardless of athleticism or intellect, I know that every one of my students has the potential to achieve greatness because they each have the ability to serve.

Dr. King, however, would be the first to tell you that true service involves more than just ability; it requires a “heart full of grace,” as he put it, and a “soul generated by love.” When we’re able to serve others with no personal agenda, we are exhibiting the truest sense of love and what it means to be human. 

Unfortunately, it’s harder to teach a fourth grader “a heart full of grace” than it is multiplication tables. And “a soul generated by love” doesn’t come as easily to middle school students as does subject-verb agreement. But if there’s one lesson I hope to teach—or better yet, to learn—during my year of service with City Year, it’s that being a servant is the greatest thing you can ever do.

Exactly two months before his death, Martin Luther King concluded his famous Drum Major Instinct speech by envisioning the eulogy at his own funeral: 

[Don’t] mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school [or] that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others.

January 16th, 2012 is your chance to carry on King’s legacy of service and to begin your own. For many, MLK Day has become “a day on, not a day off.” City Year New York, alongside community volunteers and corporate sponsors, will spend the day building bookshelves, constructing planter boxes, and painting murals for several East Harlem schools and organizations.

Indeed it’s true: everybody can be great because everybody can serve. But we don’t do service because we want to be considered great; service is never a selfish thing. We don’t do service just to bolster our resumes or to be quoted in newspapers. We serve because it’s what makes us human.

Nathan (back row, far right) with fellow City Year corps members

S@C: Could you explain what City Year is and what you do on a daily basis?

Nathan: City Year is national service non-profit that works to combat the high school drop-out crisis. As a corps member with City Year, I serve as a tutor and mentor in a K-8 school in East Harlem. Running small-group literacy sessions, coaching students about positive behavior, teaching a class on service learning, and leading an after school program are just a few of the things I do on a daily basis.

S@C: What led you to want to serve with City Year?

Nathan: I knew that I wanted to devote a year of my life to service right after college. Actually I want to devote my entire life to service in some way, but I thought I'd start with one year. I chose City Year because when I look at the innumerable injustices in the world, I see that almost every one can be addressed by better education. City Year allows me to have a hands-on approach and make a tangible impact.

S@C: In which service activities did you participate at Campbell? Why?

Nathan: At Campbell I participated in just about every service activity I had time for: freshman move-in day, Operation Inasmuch, 9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day. etc. I chose to do these activities because they gave me the opportunity to meet people that I might not have otherwise encountered on campus or in the greater Buies Creek community. Also, it was a great chance to get my mind off of studying and do something for someone else.

S@C: Do you have a favorite service activity from your time at Campbell?

Nathan: My favorite service activity at Campbell would have to be freshman move-in day. That day can be very trying for a lot of freshman and their parents, so it's an awesome opportunity to ease someone's load (literally) by greeting them with a smile and letting them know that there are people at Campbell who care about them.

S@C: Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you to serve?

Nathan: Great question. I have lots. Two of my favorite favorites are by MLK and Gandhi, respectively: "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve," and "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." These quotes are similar in the sense that they acknowledge that service benefits not just the served, but the servant as well. When you truly lose yourself in service, you'll discover so much and be blessed in ways that aren't possible when you're only looking out for yourself.

S@C: Is serving while in college important? Why or why not?

Nathan: I think serving is important anytime, but especially in college because it's a time when it's easy to become too busy to serve. With papers, exams, extracurriculars, and social scenes, college can easily become very "me-focused," but I think service provides the college student with the chance to be more "we-focused" and broaden his or her scope.

S@C: Anything else you’d like to add?

Nathan: I feel like I've used the word "opportunity" a lot in this interview, but that's just what service is: an opportunity to be someone greater then yourself, even if just for a short time. I've never regretted a single service opportunity and I doubt you will either.

Read more about Nathan's adventures in City Year at his blog nate the great the case of...