Last fall, we promised that we’d pass along stories of the unique learning experiences of UB’s Honors Scholars. What better place to find such stories than from the students who participated in the Honors College’s service learning-based freshman colloquium which allows students to explore new ideas through active engagement with the world around them.
This year, the colloquium focused on getting students acquainted with the promise and challenges of urban communities like the City of Buffalo. To kick off the fall semester, guest lecturers spoke to Honors Scholars about the past, present, and future of Buffalo. Next, each student took part in a variety of tours of the city, arranged in cooperation with the Preservation Coalition of Erie County and the Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier. It was an illuminating experience for freshman John Gerber: “The tour of Buffalo was one of the first times I’ve walked around the city just for the sake of walking around. It was really interesting, and it definitely opened my eyes to Buffalo’s roots and what it is really like. It just felt like a good place to be.”
Students were encouraged to select service projects that matched their academic interests. For example, one group comprised of dance and arts majors chose to work with Moving Miracles, a dance/movement program for children, adolescents, and adults who are exceptionally challenged mentally, physically, or emotionally. Laura Crowe, a dance major from Palatine, Illinois, says that she initially approached the project with some apprehension because of her inexperience in working with wheelchair-bound students. That notion quickly faded as she made connections with the students and encouraged their progress. “This project completely transformed my views about the severely disabled and opened my eyes to the types of programs available to them,” Crowe says. “I also learned that I have a knack for teaching and working with children, and that I am capable of handling the difficult situations that sometimes arise while working with the disabled students - this program has opened new doors for me in my major and in my future career plans.”
Inspired by a tour of Buffalo that focused on neighborhood revitalization, another group of scholars helped to renovate the exterior of a vacant house on the city’s west side. By the end of the semester, a home that was once slated for demolition was being looked at with interest by potential buyers. Honors Scholar Kaitlin George noted, “After finishing the project, I felt a sense of accomplishment - I really enjoyed seeing the difference I could make in just a few hours.”
Other scholars performed their service learning with agencies such Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and Journey’s End Refugee Services. Ryan Dunnigan’s group volunteered with the American Red Cross Life Project, assisting senior citizens with home maintenance. The Niskayuna, NY native says, “When I began this project, I only expected to help people by cleaning up their yards – but I learned that I can help even more by just listening and talking to them.”
At the end of the colloquium, participants were asked to give a final presentation on their experience and write a paper that incorporated what they learned in the field with their coursework. In their reflections, it was overwhelmingly evident that each scholar considered their experiences to be eye-opening and, in some cases, life-altering. And many students expressed their intention to continue to perform service in the future with the agency they had worked with.
If you’d like to learn more about UB’s Honors College or the many ways in which learning at UB extends beyond the classroom, feel free to give us a call at 1-888-UB-ADMIT. We have many more stories like these to pass along.
Special Thanks to:
Jessica Dudek, University Honors Program
Kevin Corbett, Office of Admissions
Add comment | Posted March 12, 2008
