Humanics in Action Program Supports Springfield Community
Springfield College first-year students participating in New Student Orientation were joined by President Mary-Beth Cooper, student leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and faculty emeritus on Saturday, August 31 in being introduced to the Humanics in Action program.
Springfield College first-year students participating in New Student Orientation were introduced to the Humanics in Action program on Saturday, August 31, a commitment by Springfield College to year-round community-based service programs. The Class of 2023 was joined by student leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and faculty emeritus, for a day filled of community service outreach programs throughout the city of Springfield.
Participants of the Springfield College Humanics in Action Program will have the opportunity to work on the same service projects throughout the entire academic year, led by the Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership.
For more than 20 years, community outreach projects have been fulfilled by Springfield College work groups at the start of the academic year. The campus community provides services for schools, churches, senior citizen facilities, child-care centers, community organizations, city agencies, and neighborhoods. There are educational projects for school children, including students reading to youngsters at local schools. The majority of the volunteers participate in many indoor and outdoor painting projects, clean-up/fix-up projects, landscaping, and a host of other indoor and outdoor services.
The Humanics in Action program kick-off event started with Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership Director Charlene Elvers welcoming the incoming students to the Springfield College campus and the Humanics philosophy. Elvers was joined by Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper, and Springfield College graduate Jezavya Rivera '18 in welcoming the Class of 2023 to Springfield College.
The Humanics in Action program introduction ties back to Springfield College Professor of Computer Science and Physics, Emeritus Peter J. Polito, and his dedication to expressing the importance of this special day of community service. It was the idea of Polito, then Springfield College Professor of Humanics, and leaders of the New Student Orientation program to revive and expand an event described in the 1918 Springfield College yearbook.
Springfield College initiated Humanics in Action Day in September 1998. In the early years at the College, student work groups volunteered to improve the developing campus. Since 1998, Humanics in Action has been dedicated to the local community.
