The University of Indianapolis is excited to begin a new Welcome Week tradition to give back to the community with the first-ever Service for Impact Day on Saturday, August 24. More than 700 Greyhound students, faculty and staff are expected to participate and help more than a dozen different nonprofits including Bethany Community Gardens, Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. and Indy Parks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The service work will be followed by a celebratory gathering at UIndy’s Smith Mall. The economic impact of this event due to the volunteers’ combined efforts is estimated to be nearly $50,000.

This commencement event is intended to become an annual tradition focused on inspiring students to engage through worthwhile endeavors, adding another layer of meaning to Indiana University’s motto, which is simply “Education for Service,” especially for the hundreds of newly arrived first-year students who arrived on campus Wednesday.

“Whether we’re making mats for the homeless to sleep on, picking up trash in our community, or crafting meaningful cards to help grieving families who have lost a loved one, we want our first-year students to know that Greyhounds is all about helping others,” said Marianna Foulkrod, director of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement at the University of Indianapolis. “From their first week on campus, we want our students to learn compassion and a global mindset that needs to be fostered both inside and outside the four walls of the classroom.”

The Impact Day service begins with a brief opening presentation at Smith Mall on the University of Indianapolis campus, with brief remarks from UIndy President Tanuja Singh, the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office, the University Heights Neighborhood, and IndyHub. Immediately after the brief introduction, groups of 50 participants board buses to help at various locations. Some groups stay on campus to work on service projects at the Schwitzer Student Center. Everyone meets back at Smith Mall around 1 p.m. for a celebratory gathering with food trucks and fun activities.

“I am proud to unveil our opening Impact Day service because it aligns so perfectly with UIndy’s mission to develop engaged and globally minded students,” said Tanuja Singh, president of the University of Indianapolis. “Our vision is to empower our diverse group of learners to engage in their world and enrich their lives. When you serve others, you can’t help but change your world and, more importantly, change yourself.”