Not only was I proud of my current students, but as I walked around, I saw a number of former students who had gone on to take other service-learning projects, one of them even presenting his final project for completion of the Key Center's Community Engaged Scholar honor. The students I spoke to all spoke of their passion for getting off-campus, getting out into the community, and, as Selena Hileman said in her opening address, "getting their hands dirty."
As I wandered the concourse I spoke to students working with ABYSA's afterschool program, Brother Wolf, and ASAP; students passionate about sharing their love of chemistry with middle school kids from rural areas, raising awareness of second-hand smoke on our campus, and helping queer adolescents tell their stories through theater. A colleague of mine voiced the general feeling of amazement, commenting on the sheer number of service-learning projects taking place on UNCA's campus. It was truly inspirational! A big thanks to all the students and community partners who participated :)
