As a part of Freshman Orientation, University of St. Thomas incoming freshmen volunteered at the Houston Food Bank on Aug. 18. The freshmen, with about 200 participants, were the most productive group in the Houston Food Bank's history to volunteer, making 50,000 meals.

Vice Chair of Operations for Freshman Orientation Grace Cheung, a senior education major, organized the service project.

"Every year, the Freshman Orientation experience culminates with a service day," Cheung said. "The entire freshman class completed a service project that reminds us we are all part of a bigger community."

The group was made up the Class of 2016, the Orientation team and the women's basketball team. The project was organized in conjunction with the UST Service-Learning Program and Freshmen Orientation.

“This project is a prime example of how the First-Year Experience provides students with a valuable and hands-on learning experience that exemplifies the mission of the University and the Service-Learning Program," said Theresa Heard, Service-Learning Program coordinator. "The hard work by the FYE faculty members, staff and freshman class should be recognized as servant leaders on campus and in our community.”

The Service-Learning Program expands opportunities for students to engage in public and community service and advocates the importance of civic responsibility in students’ educational experience. More than 2,000 UST students, from 23 departments and programs, have benefitted from learning opportunities through the University’s Service-Learning Program.

For more information about the program, contact Theresa Heard at 713-525-6982 or servicelearning@stthom.edu. Also, learn more about the program through Facebook and Twitter.