IWU’s 5th Annual Fall Festival Promotes Student Philanthropy

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – In addition to learning their way around the campus, choosing their classes, and generally adjusting to their new status as first-year college students, members of Illinois Wesleyan University’s Class of 2006 will participate in a series of volunteer activities during the University’s 5th annual Fall Festival beginning August 20.

According to James Matthews, Dean of Students and Associate Professor of French, the accentuation on volunteerism is due to an overwhelming theme that he has noticed in looking at prospective students’ applications, "At least 85% of the last few incoming classes have indicated that they participated in philanthropic activities in high school," said Matthews. "And we’ve found that a significant portion of that group wishes to continue its efforts in college."

The overall theme for this year’s Fall Festival is "Encountering Differences." Matthews said that the theme is based on a desire "to remind students of the importance of making choices."

One of those choices may be to participate in a volunteer program during the first few days on campus. At last year’s Fall Festival almost 50 percent of the 560 students participated in volunteer activities. With more than 570 new students coming to campus for the festival this year there will be numerous volunteer opportunities from which to choose. Students will be able to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and work on one of its many work-sites in the Bloomington/Normal area. They can also work as a move-in crew member to help upperclassmen move into their housing. There will be volunteer programs at Miller Park in Bloomington working at the Cultural Festival, helping in the children’s play area, setting up booths, and working as park security. Students will also have the chance to keep their community clean with park and trail clean-up activities.

Matthews concluded, "This volunteer program is just the beginning of philanthropic participation for these students." In addition to the volunteer fair sponsored by IWU’s Student Senate, the Black Student Union, Alpha Phi Omega (IWU’s service fraternity), and many of IWU’s fraternities and sororities carry out volunteer work for the community throughout the year.

The first day for all new students to arrive on campus is August 20. However, international students will arrive on August 15 to begin several days of orientation. Classes begin for all students on August 26.

For more information contact the Illinois Wesleyan Dean of Students Office at 309/ 556-3111.