Service trips play a significant role in how WU students are impacted by the college experience. Putting what one is learning in classrooms into practice outside of school is something special that service trips allow students to experience, according to Dr. Christian Hayes, assistant professor of biology.

Hayes, who led a service trip in January to Titusville, Florida, is passionate about service learning and sharing his passion with students. He recalls this trip fondly and appreciated the raw beauty portrayed in nature during his trip.

“Education is not primarily head knowledge,” Hayes said “It’s practical implication.”

Service looks different for every student and the benefits of service are individual for each student as well. Service not only is a blessing to communities and other people, but it also has a positive impact on each and every student. 

“A lot of how we understand the world around us depends on how we understand ourselves,” Hayes said. “These trips have the ability to harvest life-changing opportunities.”

Rea Redd, director of the Eberly Library, plans on leading a service trip to Gettysburg this spring break and encourages WU students to sign up. According to Kelley Hardie, dean of student development, students can expect to help eliminate the damages of time and vandalism from historical monuments.

The service trip to Gettysburg will allow students to experience history in ways they have never experienced before. Stories from history textbooks can come alive and relevant to students who participate in the trip.