Campus News

Westminster teams up with local elementary school to help community

SALT LAKE CITY - As one of Westminster’s college-wide learning goals, “social responsibility” has been emphasized and embraced across the campus for many years. To demonstrate this social commitment, the college partnered with 500 students from Hawthorne Elementary School for a “Day of Service and Learning” on October 7 to help the local community.

Nearly 17 Hawthorne classrooms were assigned service projects and a college mentor to assist with the activities. Some of the service projects included making blankets for the Ronald McDonald House, baking dog biscuits for a local pet shelter, assembling craft kits for patients at Primary Children's Medical Center and decorating donation boxes for the Utah Food Bank.

Additionally, the college’s Aero Club taught Hawthorne students about physics while making model airplanes, and Westminster’s Great Salt Lake Institute hosted several hands-on learning activities for the children.

Westminster and Hawthorne Elementary have been community partners for 12 years, and more than 50 college students volunteer in Hawthorne’s reading and math programs each year.

“Westminster volunteers have helped our elementary students improve reading scores and gain confidence in math,” said Marian Broadhead, principal of Hawthorne Elementary School. “This day of fun activities was another way the college students continue to be great role models and inspire children to reach out into the community.”

Media Contacts: Krista DeAngelis  & Arikka Von (801) 832-2682
Oct. 18, 2011

About Westminster:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit http://www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.