Springfield College Hosts 17th Annual Humanics in Action Day

Approximately 2,000 Springfield College students, faculty, staff, and alumni took part in the 17th annual Humanics in Action Day on Tuesday, Sept. 23, a day of community service throughout the city of Springfield.

More than 100 projects were fulfilled by College work groups who performed services for schools, churches, senior citizen facilities, child-care centers, community organizations, city agencies, and neighborhoods. There were educational projects for school children, including students reading to youngsters at the Brookings School. The majority of the volunteers participated in many indoor and outdoor painting projects, clean-up/fix-up projects, landscaping, and a host of other indoor and outdoor services. 

The day started with Springfield College Student Trustee Moriah Billups leading the opening ceremonies at Blake Track, which included welcome addresses from both Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. Old Hill Neighborhood Council President Barbara Gresham and Upper Hill Neighborhood Council Vice President Bobby Hartsfield also greeted students.

Humanics in Action Day highlights the commitment by Springfield College to year-round community-based service programs. Springfield College students contribute more than 150,000 hours of service to programs in schools, neighborhood organizations, and city programs.

Springfield College initiated Humanics in Action Day in September 1998. It was the idea of Springfield College Professor of Humanics Peter Polito and leaders of the New Student Orientation program to revive and expand an event described in the 1918 Springfield College yearbook. In the early years at the College, student work groups volunteered to improve the developing campus. Since 1998, Humanics in Action Day has been a day of service to the local community.