Tarleton State University gives students the chance to give back to their community in many different ways. Some organizations that you can volunteer for are Round Up, Service-Learning Day, and Alternative Spring Break! This opportunity allows students to meet new people, work hard, and build relationships with the people in our community.
Round Up
Every year students, faculty, and staff come together to serve the elderly community in Stephenville. Students complete common outdoor chores that those residents are not able to do themselves. Some of the work that students help with are raking leaves, cleaning gutters, painting, window washing, and cleaning duties. This student-led service is a great opportunity to thank the community for being so welcoming and to keep Stephenville beautiful.
Service-Learning Day
Students are guided by faculty and staff on this day to connect their coursework to the specified service experience they are a part of. This service day is designed to enhance students’ academic skills. During Service Week in 2019 the department of communication studies gathered faculty, staff, students, and friends to walk at Jaycee Park in Stephenville for Degenerative Myelopathy. This is a debilitating disease found in canines that causes gradual paralysis, and eventually, death. The department of communication studies encouraged students to wear sunshades to #ShadeOutDM or put shades on their furry friends. This walk was intended to spread the word about this devastating disease that affects many common dog breeds. Students that participate in service-learning day have the ability to address important social problems and engage in scholarly work.
Alternative Spring Break
Instead of going on a trip with friends to the beach or other plans, some students decide to go to an area that has been hit with a natural disaster. Each year groups will use their manpower and resources to help rebuild those communities that are in need. Service is the main priority of their trip however students will also learn how to partner with others and gain life skills. During the trip students will be expected to put up drywall, pick up storm debris/trash, install shingles, build fences, cut down tree limbs, and learn how to use power tools. This opportunity allows students to gain hands-on experience that could be used later in life and help communities after devastating events.
Volunteering for any of the service opportunities is an experience that many students, faculty, and staff enjoy so much that they continue to participate every year! Being able to give back to communities or spread awareness for important social problems is a great achievement for students to be able to do while managing their course work. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these service opportunities, be sure to check Tarleton’s calendar for any events that might be coming up!