Your Penn State experience is what you choose to make of it. Helping others or service work is a focus of many students. If you didn’t know already Penn State is home to the largest student run philosophy in the world, THON. THON benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Often times this is where students stop with their service involvement. Penn State offers many more students organizations that help around camps, around the United States, and around the World! Listed below are only a part of the numerous service organization at Penn State. Along with separate categories for where the organizations serve, mission statements about each organization and their Penn State website are provided. Please check out any that interest you. These organizations are always looking for new members!
(*Some organizations may be listed twice*)
- THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. THON’s mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure.
Engineering
Bridges to Prosperity ~https://www.bridgestoprosperitypsu.org/
- Bridges to Prosperity is a non-profit organization that seeks to build footbridges over impassable rivers in impoverished rural areas across the globe. Through the construction of bridges, residents of these communities are provided with better access to healthcare, education, and economic market opportunities.
- Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a humanitarian engineering organization centered around helping communities locally and internationally. EWB is a non-profit organization that supports community-driven development programs worldwide through the design and implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while fostering responsible leadership.
International
Bridges to Prosperity ~https://www.bridgestoprosperitypsu.org/
Empower Orphans ~ http://sites.psu.edu/empowerorphans/
- Empower Orphans PSU works to improve the living conditions of vulnerable children through healthcare and education. EOPSU is the founding college division of Empower Orphans, a 501c3 non-profit organization. As a student philanthropy that supports vulnerable children both within Pennsylvania and abroad, our goals include: Mentorship - to provide children with support and guidance. Fundraising - to provide financial support to fund EOPSU projects that serve our mission. Awareness - to spread philanthropy at Penn State and create EO divisions at other universities across the country.
Global Brigades ~ https://sites.psu.edu/globalbrigades/
- Global Brigades aims to resolve global health and economic disparities by empowering student volunteers,, local professionals, and community members in collaborative holistic approach to sustainable development. Penn State Global Brigades has representing chapters for all nine disciplines: Medical, Business, Water, Public Health, Microfinance, Environmental, Architecture, Human Rights, and Dental Brigades. Powered by hundreds of inspired young students, Penn State Global Brigades participates in service trips abroad, local volunteer projects within the State College community, and a variety of other activities around campus.
Rebuild -U ~ https://pennstatehillel.org/student_groups/rebuildu/
- The mission of Rebuild-U is to develop personal connections through hands-on service by reaching out to those in need actively engaging the community locally and around the world. By utilizing Jewish values such as Tikkun Olam, repairing our world, we can work together to make a difference in the lives of others.
United States
Habitat for Humanity ~ http://psuhabitatforhumanity.weebly.com/
- A chapter of a national organization whose mission includes “To build simple, decent affordable housing for low income families.. and to educate the PSU community about the importance of eliminating substandard housing”
State College
Lion’s Pantry ~ http://sites.psu.edu/lionspantrypsu/
- The Lion’s Pantry was created to address the issue of student hunger at Penn State University Park. The Lion’s Pantry’s purpose is to help provide sustenance to Penn State students experiencing food insecurity.
Music Service Club ~ http://psumusicservice.weebly.com/
- Music Service Club is a student organization at Penn State that aims to bring the joy and healing powers of music to the State College community. Students of all backgrounds visit locations in State College and perform pieces, bringing music into the lives of those who can benefit from it.
On My Honor ~ http://onmyhonor.wixsite.com/psucampusgirlscouts
- Under the Campus Girl Scouts, the group “Encourages and promotes the values and ideals of Girl Scouting while serving the college campus and surrounding community, and provides opportunities for individual growth and leadership for its members. “
Student United Way
- Part of a national organization, PSU’s chapter “serves the local community by: educating our members, other student organizations, and the Penn State student body about Centre County United Way and its benefiting agencies. We are students committed to leadership through service and teamwork. ”
Fraternity/ Sorority
Alpha Phi Omega ~ https://www.facebook.com/AlphaPhiOmega.AlphaBeta
- A co-ed service fraternity whose mission is “to prepare campus and community leaders through service”
Gamma Sigma Sigma ~ http://gammasigmasigmapsu.weebly.com/
- A service sorority whose mission is to "promote a lifelong commitment to service and diversity, in an environment of unity and equality, while creating opportunities for growth."
From a personal experience I know that no matter what size service project you aid on it will always put a smile on your face.
One organization near and dear to my heart is Bridges to Prosperity.
In summer 2016 I had the honor to travel with Penn State Bridges to Prosperity for their bridge build in La Candelaria, Panama. The experience was incredible! I working alongside the community to construct this much needed footbridge.
Above is the Penn State 2016 travel team. Also in the picture are women from the community (Norma, Elsa, and Wendy) who came to work on the bridge.
The finished La Candelaria, Panama footbridge. This footbridge provided the community of 300-400 people with safe access to education, healthcare, and other necessities.
By: Jessica Hunter, Senior in Biological Engineering
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