Service Spotlight

ART 133/134, 233/234: Ceramics Theory

Students in Professor Sophie Neslund’s ceramics theory classes prepared vessels for Schoolcraft’s Empty Bowl fundraiser, benefiting the college’s food pantry. Many players are involved in making Empty Bowl a success every year – Student Activities, the culinary students who donate soup and bread, other students who donate work from ceramics – and we are proud to add Prof. Neslund’s students to the list!

ENG 101: Basic Composition

Professor Nancy Anter’s students met with residents at Anthology of Northville, a senior living community. Afterward, students wrote a descriptive paper on aspects of identity featuring the senior they interviewed. In the words of one student, “I thought it gave a really good insight and perspective into what identity means to us now as well as older generations and comparing/ contrasting the two. It gave me a clearer image on what identity means and how it can change from person to person.”

Professor Maheshwari’s students helped sponsor the Share Joy Program, along with Student Activities and volunteers from Honors students and faculty. Share Joy brought hand-picked gifts to families at both the Wayne Country Family Shelter and the Schoolcraft Food Pantry. Dozens of toys, clothing, toiletries, and snacks were donated. The gifts were packaged in home-made, colorful pillowcases – made earlier by Schoolcraft volunteers.

ENG 203: Children’s Literature

Professor April Hardin’s students created dozens of “book bundles” to encourage children’s literacy – and provide a snuggly moment with a good read! Students cut and tied fleece blankets, then packaged donated books sorted by age with a blanket and a stuffed animal. The students delivered some of the bundles to Redford Service Learning Academy for their classroom reading corners, and donated others to the Share Joy program.

HIST 152: 19th Century American History

Professor Alec Thomson and his students partnered with West Farmington Cemetery in Farmington Hills to map the cemetery, document those buried there, and analyze primary sources to learn more about their stories. As Prof. Thompson pointed out in an article for Schoolcraft’s website, “Ultimately, we want students to think of studying history as a dynamic exercise that not only provides us with opportunity for reflection but a deeper understanding for mapping our future. The work of the students creates a tangible link between the past and the present.”