Service and Leadership

The University of Dayton understands participation in community and the pursuit of social justice as integral to its identity and mission. Service and leadership experiences are therefore required of all University Honors and Berry Scholars students. Whether in the University's own Dayton area community, elsewhere in the United States or abroad, Honors and Berry Scholar students are encouraged and supported in their efforts to meaningfully contribute to the betterment of the human condition through the practical realization of our most cherished values and spiritual commitments.

Some examples of UD's tradition of Service and Leadership

• Honors student, Emily Nohner '06, organized the area's first GuluWalk in October, 2005, to bring attention to the plight of children in Uganda. GuluWalk Day is a partner of the Act for Stolen Children campaign, which raises public awareness and funds to aid children affected by the humanitarian crisis and conflicts in northern Uganda.
   
• Honors student, Hilary Ross, spearheaded a relief effort on campus to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. Ross partnered with SGA, and the Center for Social Concern with the goal to raise $5,000 over a one-week period. "The fundraising went very, very well," said Ross. UD students raised $10,000--double the initial goal.
   
• Going Beyond Our Borders, Spring Break, 2004 and 2005: Students in the Berry Scholars second-year Social Science Seminar visited the border area of Nogales, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona. The students, led by Sister Laura Leming and Dean Lovelace, spent the week examining border issues between the two countries.
   
• Christmas on Campus
  Since 1964, every December 8th on the Feast
  of the Immaculate Conception, the University
  of Dayton has opened its doors and hearts to children in the Dayton community at its "Christmas on Campus" celebration. More than 1,200 children arrive on campus to experience the joy of the holidays. Each child is "adopted" for the night by a UD student and together they participate in a wide range of activities from visiting Santa and sampling holiday food to playing games and caroling. The evening culminates with Midnight Mass. This beloved tradition is continued around the country as UD alumni stage their own Christmas Off Campus celebrations.