Alfred State students and staff participate in Day of Service in Alfred

student working at the community garder
An Alfred State student works at the Community Garden during Alfred’s Day of Service.

At a glance

“We are here today to learn about volunteerism and civic engagement and the importance of it. Giving up your time and your talent is the most precious thing that you can ever give. To see so many of you here today living that makes my heart happy.”

Dr. Steve Mauro

Big Blue Ox graphic

More than one-hundred individuals including students from Alfred State and Alfred University joined by members of the Alfred community gathered Saturday, Sept. 21 for the second annual Day of Service. Projects focused on helping spruce up areas in Alfred.

Alfred State President Dr. Steve Mauro was pleased to see so many in attendance. “We are here today to learn about volunteerism and civic engagement and the importance of it. Giving up your time and your talent is the most precious thing that you can ever give. To see so many of you here today living that makes my heart happy.” 

Day of Service Photo Gallery 

Dr. Mauro was joined by Alfred University Dean of Student Experience Thomas Orrange, and Alfred Mayor Jim Ninos to thank the volunteers before they headed out to start projects around the village.  

Projects included but were not limited to gardening, street and creek cleaning, window washing, and painting. Service locations stretched beyond the village limits down into Alfred Station, supporting projects with the Community Garden, Union University, Noonday’s, Village Hall, Fire Hall, and Alfred 21st Century Group.  

Two distinct routes were named after people who were noted to have made a lasting impact on their respective campuses for their dedication to civic good and community care. One route was name in honor of former Alfred State College Council President, Patricia Fogarty and the other route was named in honor of Matt Mueler, former AU Librarian, and Zoe Coombs, former AU Administrative Support for Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Cyan Corwine, director of global engagement and civic wellbeing, was pleased with the effort. “Uniting in service helps foster greater appreciation and respect for the spaces we share and offers an opportunity to deepen our ties with one another. Volunteers helped to take sixteen bags of trash and three bags of returnable cans off the streets and out of our creeks.”  

For the second straight year, mums were delivered to business owners to be displayed in their front doors. 

Alfred State’s Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellbeing Jonathan Hilsher, Alfred University’s Associate Athletic Director Erin Schurr, Kathy Benzaquin from the Alfred 21st Century Group joined and Corwine, Ninos, and Orrange on the planning committee.