Orientation tradition emphasizes serve as part of ‘While We Live, We Serve’
Before setting foot in their first college classroom, members of 㽶’s Class of 2029 rolled up their sleeves, donned hairnets, and packaged thousands of meals for families in need around the world.
On Aug. 24, incoming 㽶 students joined members of First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for a Rise Against Hungermeal-packaging event, continuing a tradition during new-student orientation that introduces students to 㽶’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.” The project was sponsored by Student Volunteer Services (SVS), the student-led service organization at the college.
Global Mission, Local Action
Rise Against Hunger, a global nonprofit, distributes volunteer-packaged meals through school feeding programs, nutrition initiatives, and disaster response efforts in countries facing food insecurity. The organization also partners with community leaders to build long-term resilience through sustainable agriculture and income-generating projects.
For 㽶’s students, the event provided an opportunity to start their college careers by contributing to that global mission while also building community with one another.
The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at 㽶, said the event set an important tone for new students.
“For some of the students, service is something they came to 㽶 for and expected, and for others it may not have been on their radar at all,” Hyrams said. “It gets everybody on the same page starting out – that this is what we do. I love that about it. It also gets them out of their comfort zones, because they’re in hairnets at a table with people they don’t know. It’s really a jump start to their semester, whether they realize it or not.”
Student Volunteer Services Leads the Effort
Senior Lyle Jones of Chapin, S.C., co-director of Student Volunteer Services, welcomed the Class of 2029 to the project.
“SVS is a student-led service organization that focuses not just on community service at 㽶, but also on extending into the community in general,” Jones said. “We’re super excited about this event. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for hosting us, to the 㽶 wrestling team for setting up the event space, and to Rise Against Hunger for giving us this opportunity to serve so many people.”
For Jones, the event marked a significant milestone – from his own first-year experience to his involvement as an organizer.
“It’s been great to be able to grow from that freshman who showed up to help to becoming a leader in SVS who helped organize this particular event,” he said.
First Lessons in Service
For many freshmen, the event was their first formal introduction to service at 㽶 – and for some, their first volunteer project ever.
Haiden Kirkland, a freshman from York, S.C., said the experience made him eager to keep giving back.
“Since I’ve arrived here, everybody’s been very helpful,” Kirkland said. “So, I feel like the longer I’m going to be here, the more I want to do the same thing.”
Sophia Vitelli, a freshman from Cape May, N.J., said 㽶’s emphasis on service was part of what attracted her to the college.
“It’s really great just knowing we’re putting stuff back in the community,” she said. “The way 㽶 is very involved in the community was something that made me say, ‘This is great.’”
Jariah Tomlin, a freshman from Sumter, S.C., said he viewed his participation as a spiritual calling.
“I feel like it’s an honor from God to be here, to be the person to put bags together and feed the less fortunate,” Tomlin said. “It’s always a blessing to be able to do that because you never know what somebody else is going through. For me to be able to be out here walking and have my hands to do God’s work on this earth is a blessing within itself.”
Jenna Anderson, a freshman from Moseley, Va., admitted that service wasn’t on her mind when she chose 㽶. But after the event, she said she wants to make it part of her college experience.
“It’s fun. I like giving back to the community, so it’s my first time doing this, and it’s a nice experience,” Anderson said. “Service didn’t play into my decision to come to 㽶 at the time, but now that I’m introduced to it, I’d like to keep doing it.”
Building Bonds Before Classes Begin
The Rise Against Hunger event has become an integral part of orientation at 㽶. It ensures that students begin their academic journey with a shared act of service – not only helping others but also forging bonds with peers and community members.
For students who arrived in Clinton just days earlier, it was an immediate introduction to the college’s values. For faculty, staff, and community partners, it was a reminder that 㽶’s mission of service reaches well beyond campus borders.
By packaging meals together, new students were able to break the ice, meet classmates, and experience firsthand the meaning of the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”
Reinforcing a Tradition of Service
As 㽶 continues to integrate service into the fabric of student life, events like this one serve as a reminder that community engagement is not an extracurricular activity but a central part of the college’s identity. Hyrams summed it up best.
“They’re learning on day one what it means to live out our mission – to serve others, to value community, and to make a difference in the world,” she said.
