Emily Sorauf
  • biology
  • Class of 2014
  • Troy, OH

Emily Sorauf Commits to Service During Heidelberg Spring Break

2012 Mar 28

Emily Sorauf, a sophomore from Troy, Ohio, traded fun in the sun during Heidelberg University's spring break earlier this month for an opportunity to complete volunteer service as part of the university's Alternate Spring Break Program.

In all, nearly 50 students and advisors completed service projects in Chicago, where they worked with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity; in New Orleans, returning for the fourth consecutive year to assist Project Homecoming in rehabbing homes damaged by the 2005 hurricanes; and in Biloxi, Miss., where they worked with the United Church of Christ's Back Bay Mission.

Sorauf was among the group who completed service in Biloxi, Miss..

The Alternative Spring Break Program is coordinated by the Office of Campus Ministry and Religious Life. According to Campus Minister Rev. Paul Sittason Stark, past projects have included trips to New York, Chicago, New Orleans and Europe.

Stark said the Alternative Spring Break has three goals: to help students make an impact in the world through simple acts of charity, goodwill and justice; provide urban, rural and international experiences for Heidelberg students so that they are better prepared to be socially conscious citizens of the world; and provide a service-learning model for experiencing different cultures and the role of servant leadership.

Heidelberg, founded in 1850, offers 36 courses of study in 19 major fields of concentration, awarding the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, as well as master's degrees in education, counseling, business administration and music. Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Heidelberg has been ranked for 24 consecutive years as one of the top colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. For more information visit the web site at www.heidelberg.edu.