University students serving on mission trips
WAYNESBURG — During Christmas break, 47 Waynesburg University students are traveling domestically and abroad to serve others. University faculty and staff are leading four faith, learning and service immersion trips covering a variety of academic and professional interests.
Crossroads Coalition – Wynne, Ark.
Dr. Evonne Baldauff, chairman of the department of Cchemistry and forensic science and associate professor of chemistry, and Heidi Fletcher, assistant professor of chemistry, are leading a team of six students to serve in Wynne, Ark. during the students’ break. The students are serving Jan. 4 through Jan. 9.
While serving, the students are volunteering at a public school and educate elementary students on the fundamentals of science.
Students participating in the trip include: Damara Deal, a senior from New Castle; Alex Freiberger, a freshman from McDonald; Trevor Hawkins, a freshman from Annapolis, Md; Natalie Johnston, a freshman from Greensburg; Cara Paraska, a sophomore from Canonsburg; and Amy Smith, a junior from Fairlawn, Ohio.
Mission Academy Ministries
Eleven students from the university’s department of education are traveling to Nassau, Bahamas, from Jan. 3-9. The students are working in conjunction with Mission Academy Ministries to assist public school classes and build relationships with teachers and students from a different culture. They are also spending time with the children during recess and lunch and observing in the classrooms.
Dr. Julia Bausman, assistant professor of education, and Frank Pazzynski, associate professor of education, are leading the team of students.
“The primary school is in an inner city setting with students from various backgrounds,” said Bausman. “There is a large population of children from families of Haitian refugees. Our students will have the opportunity to not only see a different school system, but also get to spend time with and assist children from areas of poverty.”
Students participating in the trip include: Morgan Carroll, a freshman from Tarentum; Shana Helsley from Altoona; Catherine Hohing, a junior from Washington; Brittany Hott, a senior from Washington; Karley Isiminger, a sophomore from Holbrook; Sarah Knapp, a freshman from Millerton, N.Y.; Justin Simmons, a junior from Hackettstown, N.J.; Moriah Sivavec, a sophomore from Canonsburg; Marlinda Sprowls, a freshman from Coal Center; Joshua Stewart, a freshman from Preston, Md.; and Nicole Zimmel, a senior from Slippery Rock.
Trans World Radio
Thirteen students are working with Trans World Radio (TWR), an international broadcast ministry, on the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. The students are spending Jan. 2 through Jan. 10 serving the radio station in both communication and history capacities.
For the past three years, the mission trip to Bonaire has been designed only for communication students. The university has since expanded its relationships with TWR and the missionaries to offer more service opportunities for Waynesburg students, more specifically, history majors.
The students are assisting TWR in creating production schedules, radio lines, videos and promotional materials. Students are also having the opportunity to archive the station’s documents and basic island archaeology.
Dr. Jacquelyn Core, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Waynesburg University; Dr. Karen Fisher-Younger, assistant professor of history; Abby Pittinaro, academic event planner; and Dr. Rea Redd, director of the Eberly Library, are co-leading the students.
Students participating in the trip include: Jackson Core, an eighth-grade student from Fairchance; Kyle Dawson, a junior from Pittsburgh; Casey Heimberger, a junior from North Chili, N.Y.; Kathryn Kondrick, a sophomore from Cheswick; Anne McGlaughlin, a junior from Pittsburgh; Shon Meade, a junior from Ellwood City; Zachary Medovic, a junior from Wheeling, W.Va.; Jacob Meyer, a junior from Ellicott, Md.; Jordan Mitrik,a senior from Pittsburgh; Stephanie Rogers, a freshman from Toms River, N.J.; Ciara Scott, a senior from Carnegie; Chelsey Withers, a junior from Pittsburgh; and Tyler Wolfe, a junior from Parkton, Md.
Nutritional Center – Patzun, Guatemala
Seventeen students are spending Dec. 31 through Jan. 8 serving a nutritional center in Patzun, Guatemala. Pat Bristor, associate dean of students, and Ryan Smith, graduate assistant,will lead the team.
Students are spending time with the children at the center teaching them the English language as well as about oral hygiene. Other service responsibilities include center repairs and manual labor.
Students participating in the trip include: Sadie Breon, a freshman from Lock Haven; Audrey Domasky, a sophomore from Pittsburgh; Kara Forse, a junior from Venetia; Alyssa Fratto, a junior from Melcroft; Amelia Graves, a junior from West Falls, N.Y.; Sarah Kirk, a senor from Valencia; Matthew McDermott, a junior Pittsburgh; Jennifer Miller, a senior from New Brighton.
Also, Emily Nowakowski, a junior from Bridgeport, Ohio; Christopher Oblinger, a junior from Aliquippa; Tiffany Owad, a junior from Aliquippa; Bethany Peng, a senior from Indiana; Cullin Piatt, a junior from Pittsburgh; Janelle Sistek, a freshman from New Stanton; Emily Stowell, a freshman from Havertown; Elizabeth Trump, a freshman from Fairchance; Victoria Whitty, a senior from New Wilmington.