Dedicated students, distinguished colleagues and dear friends,

Happy Friday!

From Giving Tuesday to International Volunteer Day on Thursday, this week has inspired our campus, like millions of students across the world, to give, to share and to care. It is not surprising that higher levels of civic engagement and volunteerism are directly proportional to levels of educational attainment. In fact, credible studies have shown that volunteerism, this important rite of passage for college students, contributes to professional development, fosters a strong sense of social responsibility and enhances feelings of solidarity with others.

Fortunately, here on campus, all of us, students, faculty and staff alike, have ample opportunities to volunteer and get involved. Our Student Involvement Office has a volunteer opportunity board that promotes upcoming opportunities. Similarly, Miner Link, Missouri S&T's campus community platform, highlights volunteer opportunities, and students can sign in to learn more. Every August, our fraternities and sororities host a Greek Day of Service. This year, approximately 100 student volunteers worked at six community sites.

At the broader community level, Rolla’s Volunteer Match site posts searchable opportunities for volunteering and community service. Joe’s PEERS (Providing Education, Encouragement and Resources) is a volunteer student group that promotes health and wellness. The group provided 74 programs that reached 6,761 participants last year. Nationally, organizations such as Handshake, AmeriCorps and Collegiate Challenge of Habitat for Humanity provide terrific opportunities for volunteerism and internships. Globally, the Engineers Without Borders design teams work on projects to improve living standards in developing countries through engineering and construction projects.

In this forum, I have shared my own fond memories of when my freshman year dormitory roommate at LSU asked me if I wanted to help him and his family sell Christmas trees. “Does your family sell trees?” I asked. “No, but we volunteer at Christmastime and raise funds for the Huey P. Long Charity Hospital,” he said. “Sure,” I said, not knowing anything about selling trees, and so I began my first real volunteer experience of selling trees for four hours a night for eight evenings.

My take-home portion? A great feeling of having helped an organization with a mission to serve others. Since then, of course, like our own faculty, staff and students, I have served as a volunteer in many professional and civic organizations. And, in the process, I have enjoyed connecting with like-minded, kindhearted people and have sensed the emotional highs and the satisfaction of having served others. In the words of French/German polymath Albert Schweitzer, “… those among you who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve (others).”

To our students, I say, don’t miss this important rite of passage of your college years. By participating in the acts of giving, sharing and caring for others, you will learn firsthand that volunteerism not only enhances the lives of others in our communities, but it also enhances your own sense of inner goodness. And, in the process, you shape and form your better self and inspire others to build better tomorrows for themselves and others.

Warmly,

-Mo.

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Mohammad Dehghani, PhD
Chancellor
mo@mst.edu | 573-341-4116

206 Parker Hall, 300 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0910
chancellor.mst.edu