Northwood University Florida students began the holiday season by reaching out to assist community neighbors.
While several undergraduates joined to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project to build a home for a family in need, another group rolled up their sleeves to assist the Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, an effort designed to raise funds to prevent drug abuse and child neglect in Florida.
“The folks at Habitat for Humanity were wonderful with our students, as they explained very patiently and clearly what it was that needed to be done. It was a great day for everyone and the students who had never participated before left the work site happy and satisfied that they’d truly made a difference,” said Midge Reichert, Northwood Florida’s Director of Career Planning and Community Engagement who also oversees the student volunteer EXCEL program.
Northwood University students regularly volunteer for a number of ongoing activities such as assisting Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from medical hair loss, volunteering for the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, promoting area blood drives, and more.
“Our students have been overseeing sponsorship signage for the Chris Evert Charities Tennis Classic for many years,’ said Dr. Dennis Bechtol, Professor and Chair of Northwood University Florida’s Entertainment, Sport & Promotion Management. “Of course, the biggest perk for them is to be able to support such a worthy cause while developing their sport management skills and competencies,” he said.
In addition to the enrichment received from helping others, Northwood students are awarded EXCEL credit for volunteer activities. Noted on each student’s student development transcript, which is issued along with their academic transcript, EXCEL credit is of value to prospective employers because it highlights the meaningful contributions Northwood University students make beyond the classroom.
