WCU’s Continuous Culture of Service
Traditionally, the last few months of every year bring out the best in many people as the season of giving, of charity, of good works. For the West Chester University community, service takes place year-round, in service-learning courses and via service societies such as the Abbes and Friars, and through volunteer opportunities both at home and abroad, including during breaks.
For the academic year 2018-2019, West Chester University students performed 678,854 hours of service learning related to academic work. Add in the 30,000+ hours logged by clubs and organizations, and the total rises to 709,182 hours of community service. Still uncounted are the numerous hours from student volunteers who conduct their service independent of any student organization or class.
In addition, clubs and organizations raised funds in the amount of $108,163.80 to benefit various community partners and the number of students enrolled in service-learning courses in 2018-2019 rose to 7,853, up from 6,824 last academic year.
OSLVP also oversees the Resource Pantry, which served 740 students for a total of 5,100 visit during the 2018-2019 academic year. The pantry distributed 17,377 pounds of food, 16,248 personal care products, 2,646 school supplies, and 661 articles of clothing. The total value of in-kind donations received during the last academic year was $58,468.23.
Pam Frontino joined the University community in May as the associate director for Service-Learning & Volunteer Programs, a new position created to manage the Resource Pantry. Frontino also supports academic service-learning initiatives and oversees alternative break programs. Ashlie Delshad, associate professor of political science, is continuing in her role as faculty associate for the 2019-2020 academic year. Shannon Gillespie ’17, M’19 is OSLVP’s interim assistant director this year.
In addition, the Resource Pantry welcomed its first graduate assistant this fall:
Jack Horne ’18, a master's candidate in WCU’s Higher Education Policy and Student
Affairs program.
Access the Resource Pantry’s 2018-2019 annual report here.