Be the change you wish to see in the world

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” ~Gandhi

Nereida Montijo, Coordinator for Serving Learning and Diversity Initiatives, began her opening remarks with the statement, “Don’t follow where the path may lead, go where there is no path and leave a trail.” She continued by elaborating on the value of service to others, from making a difference to just one person to learning about oneself and the power of change.

This past year, student volunteers have logged 11,000 hours of community service. This figure does not include those students who volunteer through community organizations on their own; it represents those students who have joined causes such as the Newark graffiti and trash clean-up day, hurricane Sandy relief efforts, the Breast Cancer Walk, working with the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity among many others.

For outstanding community service, the awards went to Jefferson Caceres, Stephanie Cruz, Jenny Kern, Fatima Neely, Lawrence Rivers and Jahwan Dior Robinson. The special CSLE intern recognition went to Chrystopher Davis and Amy La Paz. The club/organization recognition was accepted by Elijah Callahan and Lawrence Rivers for the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Outstanding public service recognition was awarded to the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity and accepted by Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter Rosario, and the NJ Peace Action accepted by Ron Destefano, Madelyn Hoffman, and Judith Arnold. The spirit of volunteerism award was conferred upon former trustee Archie Palmer and his wife Lynne. The alumni volunteer spirit award was given to Michael Palmieri ’12.

Rose Mitchell, associate dean of students quoted Mother Teresa. “Do small things with great love.” She also commended the students as making a difference by saying, “All of you have hearts full of grace and souls full of love.”

Bloomfield College students are examples of making a difference in the world, one small significant action at a time. Kudos to all our student volunteers!

To see photos of this event, please click here.