“We Are UCM: 150 Years of Service” Celebrates Rich Tradition, Raises Funds, Food Donations to Help Others

WARRENSBURG, MO – “We Are UCM: 150 Years of Service” not only recognized the University of Central Missouri’s long standing tradition of service to others, but it also led to $880 in monetary donations to help Warrensburg Big Brothers Big Sisters and generated 4,000 pounds of food for the Campus Cupboard and the Warrensburg Food Pantry.

 

The program celebrating the university’s sesquicentennial and the university’s commitment to service took place from Feb. 1-12, and concluded Friday afternoon, Feb. 12 at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Top team and individual entries in a variety of competitive categories were announced at that event. It also included announcements about fundraising efforts to help Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that serves local youth, and efforts to collect food for the Camus Cupboard, which serves UCM students and employees in need, and the Warrensburg Food Pantry which assists local residents.

 

UCM students who collected food participated in Donation Creation in which they used the non-perishable items to construct a scene that represented the theme, “We Are UCM: 150 Years of Service.” These creations were then judged according to their creativity in relation to the theme and their originality. The top entries were from Delta Zeta sorority and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which finished first. Sigma Kappa sorority and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity were second, and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, third.

 

Bowl for Kids’ Sake was an event that took place Feb. 9-10 and involved various student organizations that raised money to benefit Warrensburg Big Brothers Big Sisters by bowling at the Elliott Student Union Bowling Center. The top team was Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity, first; Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, second; and Sigma Pi fraternity, third.

 

The Royalty competition’s King, Chance Riddle, and Queen, Brittane Curry, also were introduced during the event. Finishing in second place for Queen was Kendra Dankenbring, and in third place, Hannah Staul. Alex Waisner was second in the King competition, and Carter Cramsey, third.

 

Door decorating provided an opportunity for faculty/staff members, various campus offices and organizations and community businesses and organizations to show their UCM spirit. Capturing first place in the Community category was SC Fuel. Benecia Carmack was first and Drew Burkeybile, second, in the Faculty/Staff category; Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity finished first in the Offices/Organizations category, with Sigma Kappa sorority and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, second, and Ladies Inspiring Versatility, third.

 

Recognition also went to Greek organizations for their spirit banners. Phi Sigma Pi was first, Delta Zeta sorority and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, second, and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, third.

 

Also during the week, student organizations participated in a service day which included projects such as making Valentine’s Day cards for residents of the Missouri Veterans Home and a couple of other local adult care facilities. Students also volunteered their time to make wheelchair bags from recycled t-shirts and lap quilts from fleece to provide residents of these facilities.

 

Beth Rutt, director of student activities, praised the work of a student committee which helped plan and organize the events. Committee chairs were: Bowling for Kids’ Sake and Door Decorating, Drew Nardolillo and Taylor Suiter; Royalty, Faith Ford; Publicity, Isabel Anderson; Spirit Banners, Caitlin Dudenhoeffer; Donation Creation, Esther Akheituame; Community Service, and Marissa Boyd. Justin Cobb, president of the Student Government Association, served as The We Are UCM; Education for Service Celebration chair. Student Activities Assistant Directors Kristie Brinkley and Christina Kerns served with Beth Rutt as advisors to the committee.

Many other events are planned throughout the year to celebrate UCM’s 150th year. Learn more by visiting 150.ucmo.edu/events.