On August 25, more than 350 Neumann University first-year students scattered across Delaware County to volunteer at 19 schools and nonprofit organizations. From 10 a.m. to noon, the students worked at Drexel Neumann Academy, Tyler Arboretum, Providence Animal Shelter, Fair Acres, the Boys and Girls Club of Chester, Aston Fire Department, Newlin Grist Mill, and many other sites.

The Day of Service is part of Welcome Weekend for both commuters and residents at Neumann. The activity is in keeping with the university’s Franciscan tradition, which emphasizes service to others. Part of the University’s mission statement, in fact, is that “knowledge is a gift to be used in the service of others.”

The volunteer crews were supervised by Neumann faculty, staff and older students. When the new students returned to campus, they attended their first INT 101 class and discussed the importance of community service.