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Sociology Professor Reber Dunkel is the coordinator of SERVE. |
Randolph-Macon prides itself on being a caring and compassionate community. Now there is even more reason to celebrate the college’s tradition of service to others.
R-MC
Sociology Professor Reber Dunkel has been named Coordinator of SERVE (Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences) in the
Office of Student Life.
In this capacity, Dunkel will coordinate student service opportunities and serve as a liaison to the marketing department so that our students’ community efforts can be recognized on the R-MC Web site and in the greater community.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to send information to Dunkel about R-MC organizations, clubs, and classes that are planning community-service projects. Contact Dunkel at (804) 752-3105 or
ddunkel@rmc.edu and include pertinent information: what the project involves, when and where it will take place, name of community organization, and contact information. A lead-time of at least three weeks is recommended.
Dunkel is excited about the opportunity to highlight students’ community-service efforts.
“Community service has become an integral part of our campus culture,” he says. “Student organizations,
athletic teams,
leadership and
service fellows, as well as students in a range of
First-Year Experience,
J-term travel and other courses are volunteering off campus. We hope to facilitate and strengthen this vital educational experience outside of the classroom. Co-learning cooperative projects in the community foster civic engagement and enhance our students’ liberal arts education.”
Dunkel has for many years helped plan and organize
Macon a Difference Day, R-MC’s annual homage to Earth Day. Students, faculty and staff, along with citizens of the Town of Ashland, join forces on a variety of earth- friendly and service projects in the Randolph-Macon community and the Town.
In 2010-11, R-MC students collectively amassed almost 8,000 volunteer hours. Nearly 50 students spent an alternative Spring Break in Florida for a combined 950 hours with Habitat for Humanity and 130 hours for a Haiti Relief project. Students in R-MC’s Greek organizations contributed more than 4,500 hours of collective service to the community, collected 550 pounds of canned food, donated 60 inches of hair to Locks of Love, 21 toys to Toys for Tots and generous funds to various organizations. In addition, money was raised on campus and donated to the Red Cross & Partners in Health for the Haiti Earthquake Relief. The SERVE program, in the Office of Student Life, is an integral part of Randolph-Macon’s Leadership Development and Service Initiative.