News Archive

Nazareth Welcomes Class of 2023 with Day of Service

Published August 23, 2019

Nazareth College welcomes the Class of 2023 and all its students back for the new year.The new Class of '23 is comprised of 530 students and is one of the College’s strongest academically, most geographic, and culturally diverse classes. This year’s class has 30 states represented, including California, Florida, Texas, and Washington, and some students are coming from international locales like Saudi Arabia, Canada, and China.

The first year students, along with 120 transfer students, spend the weekend participating in a whirlwind of activities, including New Student Convocation and the annual Orientation Day of Service on Friday, August 23. More than 600 students (first year, transfer and international students) along with orientation leaders, faculty and staff travel to one of 32 service sites within the community. Nazareth staff work in partnership with local community agencies to develop service activities that meet the needs of the organizations and the community members they serve. Trained orientation leaders provide preparation for the student groups and lead the service activities in conjunction with a representative from each service site. Upon returning to Nazareth, the orientation leaders facilitate a reflection of the day's events.

The Nazareth College Orientation Day of Service has several goals:

  • To introduce new students to the core value of service at Nazareth College and explore the relevance of service to the college's mission.
  • To introduce new students to the community which they are now a member of.
  • To help students identify some of the assets and strengths as well as the challenges present in the community.
  • To participate in a project addressing components of a community challenge.
  • To introduce new students to the concept of Civic Engagement.
  • To introduce students to a variety of careers and job experiences that support the public good.
  • To give students an opportunity to get to know each other.

The program starts on the Nazareth Campus at 1 p.m. where the new students, leaders, faculty and staff will gather in the Arts Center Callahan Theater for remarks and departure. Students will then travel to the service sites for their projects which occur from 2 - 4p.m.

This program is sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement, Student Orientation and the Center for Life's Work.

Nazareth College students, faculty and staff will work at several of the community service sites throughout the event.

List of partnering community service sites:
Mary's Place Refugee Outreach
The Friendly Home
The Jewish Home of Rochester
Camp Good Days and Special Times
Foodlink
CP Rochester
Child Care Council, Inc.
Gilda's Club Rochester
Clara Barton School No. 2
St. John's Home
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY
Friendship Children's Center
Intervol
540WMain Communiversity
Heritage Christain Services
St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center
Fairport Baptist Homes
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester
Jewish Family Service Pencils and Paper
EquiCenter, Inc.
Sisters of St. Joseph
Lakeshore Elementary School
Champion Academy
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Penfield Community Victory Garden
Hill Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation
Discovery Charter School
Monroe Family YMCA
Never Say Never Foundation

For More Information

Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

Nazareth students volunteering at Penfield Community Victory Garden on Friday, Aug. 23.