By Stephanie C. Peede
University Relations

MURFREESBORO – The Chowan University Rotaract Club has been busy over the last academic year. Members of the club are responsible for multiple fundraisers and service projects on campus and throughout the community, raising over $2,000 for charities and causes in Hertford County and abroad. Their activities and accomplishments earned them the Chowan University Mission and Vision Cup, awarded annually to outstanding student organizations.

In celebration of Rotaract’s 50th anniversary, the club participated in a “Week of Service” campaign during World Rotaract Week. Service projects included assisting with the Mobile Food Bank, clearing and planting around the Murfreesboro town sign, and cleaning up the campus.

With the help of Mitch Radford, Assistant Vice President of Business Affairs and Comptroller, students led the Beard or

No Beard fundraiser. Donors “voted” with their gifts to determine whether Radford would continue to grow his beard or shave it off. Ultimately, Radford shaved the beard in front of the campus community, and Rotaract raised over $600.

In cooperation with Pizza Inn in Ahoskie, the Rotaract Club held a profit-share night fundraiser to support The Shoe That Grows, a non-profit that provides expandable shoes to children in need. The Club raised $300 to aid the organization.

With assistance from the Chowan family and local community, the Club headed the popular Empty Bowls Fundraiser. Proceeds from the fundraiser went to the Ahoskie Food Pantry’s Backpack program. Chowan faculty members Rob Buller and Dr. Mitch Henke led the effort of constructing bowls along with local potter Jim Messer, Instructor and Fine Arts Program Coordinator at Roanoke Chowan Community College, and Alice Gray, mother of current Chowan student Zoe Gray of Greenville.

Additionally, the Rotaract Club will host the 4th annual Community Service Fair on Aug. 29. The club founded the fair to help connect current students with volunteer opportunities at and around Chowan University and to raise awareness for community organizations and needs. Current fair participants include: PAWS, SAFE, CADA, the Family Resource Center of Ahoskie, the Community Garden Coalition, the Hertford County Arts Council, the Hertford County Literacy Coalition, and Woodland Heritage Day.

For more information about Rotaract or the Community Service Fair, contact Dr. Corina Wack at wackc@chowan.edu or (252) 398-6215.

Sponsored by the Murfreesboro Rotary Club, all members of the Chowan University Rotaract Club are devoted to community service. Rotaract is an organization comprised of young adults ages 18-30 who are dedicated to service. As part of Rotary International, an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, they provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

By joining Rotaract, students are uniting with 180,000 young adults in 165 countries and geographic areas who belong to over 7,800 Rotaract clubs around the world. Along with commitment to community and international service, Rotaractors strive to develop leadership and professional skills that will benefit them throughout their career.