More than 100 Ashford University students, staff, and faculty members spent the morning of Saturday, August 17 performing community service projects as part of the University’s “Fresh START (Serving to Achieve Results Together)” Orientation Service Day.

“Saturday was a great day for our new students to not only give back to our community, but to feel a part of it,” said Audra Adams, Ashford manager of service learning, who helped coordinate the event. “Our students from all over the world volunteered with 17 different Clinton non-profit organizations for a morning of service. It was a nice jump start to our semester and hopefully will lead to a strong tradition of giving back.”

Participants worked on a variety of projects at the American Red Cross, the Arch, Bargain Bonanza, Benevolent Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bright Spot, the City of Clinton, Clinton Trees Forever, Children’s Discovery Center, First Congregational Church, Salvation Army, Midwest Lumber Museum, Sisters of St. Francis, Symphony of Lights, Train Depot (Jaycees), Victory Center, and the YWCA. The Ashford volunteers helped with landscaping and weeding, painting, cleaning, marking storm drains, and numerous other projects.

“Thank you for making the Red Cross a part of your Fresh START event,” said Amber MacGrath, volunteer/administrative coordinator with the Gateway Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, where students helped with a fund-raising carwash. “I am glad that Ashford is so dedicated to giving back to the community.”

“Our faculty and staff worked side-by-side with our new students and showed them the importance of community service in the Ashford culture,” Adams said. “I am proud of our campus and believe that when we all work together we can have fun and make a difference in our community.”

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Winet Rodriguez, vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.