Pre-serve students begin summer work

Fourteen incoming freshmen began their weeklong summer experience June 24, volunteering at local organizations and meeting Elon faculty and staff. Details…

The annual Pre-serve experience allows freshmen to get a head start on their first year, living on campus for a week and putting their energies to work in the community. Students began work with Alamance County’s Habitat for Humanity June 26, working on a new home in Burlington and also volunteering at the Habitat Re-Store.

The students also got a chance to meet Elon President Leo M. Lambert, who joined the students in their volunteer work at the Habitat site. Several other Elon staff members will work with the students during the Pre-serve experience, including President Emeritus Earl Danieley, who will talk with them about Elon’s history.

The Pre-serve week also includes an environmental project at nearby Timberlake Farms, volunteer work with local agencies including Loaves & Fishes and the Burlington Housing Authority, and a visit to a local landfill and TS Designs, an environmentally-friendly company, as part of an emphasis on eco-friendly issues.

Sophomore Kara Cowdrick, who took part in last year’s Pre-serve and is coordinating this summer’s experience, said this opportunity is a great way for students to overcome their apprehension about starting college.

“After getting to know Burlington and other students, I felt totally comfortable,” Cowdrick says. “This year’s group is full of energy and they have many special talents.”

Sophomore Rainey Bezila, another Pre-serve veteran who is coordinating this year’s activities, said the opportunity allows students to combine their passion for volunteer work with the chance to “get to know the community as well as Elon’s faculty and staff.”

Students who apply for the annual Pre-serve program are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Elon also offers two other summer experience courses for incoming freshmen. They are “Discovery,” an outdoor venture in the Virginia mountains, and “Adventures in Leadership,” a leadership experience in West Virginia.

Find out more at the link below…