CSU gives back through community service

By Justin Brown | April 3, 2025

Charleston Southern University recently demonstrated its strong commitment to service and community engagement through its Week of Service, a campuswide initiative that united students, faculty, and staff in making a tangible difference locally.

The Week of Service emphasizes the importance of serving the Charleston metro region. Throughout the week, several nonprofit organizations visited campus to share information about their work and encourage CSU students, faculty, and staff to get involved.

Service opportunities kicked off on Friday, March 21, with CSU hosting the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at Buccaneer Field, which saw participation from numerous organizations and nearly 1,000 attendees. CSU also held donation drives, including a collection for the Ronald McDonald House, organized by the Nielsen Accounting Society, and a drive for March of Dimes, led by the women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. In addition, the university partnered with the Red Cross to host an on-campus blood drive, where close to 40 students and staff donated blood for a crucial cause.

The highlight of the week, Serve Day, mobilized dedicated volunteers who partnered with various organizations to demonstrate the university’s values of compassion and leadership.

“Serve Day is an incredible opportunity for us to live out our faith through action,” said Jody Jennings, vice president for student life. “Seeing our students, faculty, and staff come together to serve others was truly amazing.”

Serve Day saw over 160 students and staff volunteering at various locations across the region. Volunteers dedicated over 350 hours in the Charleston community. Ana Rodriguez, a junior double majoring in accounting and finance management, said, “Life is hard for everyone, and just as I would pray for assistance, I would also wish to be that answered prayer for others. My aim is to help spread love. The world needs more selflessness.”

The goal of the initiative is to inspire CSU students to embrace long-term volunteerism and service to their local community. Current Miss CSU, Paisley Dever, who packed food boxes as part of her service project, reflected on her motivation: “Each and every one of us has a purpose. God has put trials and tribulations in our lives for a reason—to shape this purpose and to be a light in the lives of others. This is why I serve.”

Through initiatives like the Week of Service, CSU continues to foster a culture where faith, leadership, and service intersect, empowering students to make a lasting impact in their communities.