ECD Volunteer
I wish to use this space to thank everyone involved in making
last Friday’s Experience College Day a success. We invited
students with disabilities from area high schools interested in
higher education to campus for a day of learning about what it
means to attend a university. Students participated in workshops
about becoming financially smart, being a successful learner and
accessing services when one has a disability. They took a tour
of campus, ate lunch in a cafeteria and held conversations with
currently enrolled ISU students. The goals for the day
were to encourage attendees to consider themselves as potential
participants in higher education, ask questions and think
positively about their own involvement.
It really does take a community of friends and colleagues to
make an event like this happen. All who helped bring this very
special day to reality deserve public recognition.
First, thank you to the volunteers, without whose work stuffing
bags, hanging decorations, guiding students, facilitating panels
and workshops, and cleaning up the mess afterward, the day could
not have taken place. Staff from the Department of Labor, ISU
admissions and College of Education, The national Society of
Collegian Scholars, and first year seminar classes, provided the
sweat, energy and creativity to make the day one to remember.
Second, thank you to the teachers at participating high schools.
Without you organizing and chaperoning the students, the day
would have been very lonely for all of our volunteers.
Third, thank you to the Bannock County Civitans. Without your
financial support and encouragement, Experience College Day might
not have come to pass.
Fourth, thank you to the staff of ISU’s Disability services. Without
your collaboration and attention to detail this event would never
be more than a concept. It is a privilege to work with such an
awesome team of dedicated individuals.
Lastly, thank you to the students. Without your energy,
enthusiasm and interested participation, our efforts would have
meant nothing. If only a few of you choose to pursue college who
otherwise would have gone another way, what we do is worth
the investment of time, energy, money and creativity.
More than 40 volunteers made it possible for 138 students to
experience college for a day. My thanks to every one of you.
Sincerely,
Todd DeVries
Director, Idaho State University Disability Services
