May 2, 2013 5 min read

As the semester draws to a close, 34 Waynesburg University students will travel to different states and countries to serve others before heading home for the summer.

University faculty and staff will lead four mission service trips covering a variety of academic and professional interests in May.

The projects include partnerships with the John Perkins Foundation in Jackson, Miss., a Native American Reservation in Tuba City, Ariz., Urban Promise in Camden, N.J., and Christ’s College in Taipei, Taiwan.

Tom Ribar, Waynesburg University chaplain, and Chad Sherman, assistant professor of communication, will lead 17 Waynesburg University students to Jackson, Miss., from May 10 to May 18 to partner with the John M. Perkins Foundation for a week of service. The group will work on various building projects in one of the poorest cities in the United States. Students will study racial reconciliation and community development issues with Dr. John M. Perkins about an area that has a history of racial segregation and large scale poverty. This year marks the university’s ninth trip to serve the foundation.

“The relationship between Waynesburg University and the John M. Perkins Foundation has been a very fruitful partnership and has transformed numerous Waynesburg University students,” Ribar said.

Students participating in this mission service trip include: Cortney Baltimore, a junior from Lone Tree, Colo; Victoria Berggren, a freshman from Lower Burrell; Sarah Blais, a junior from Attleboro, Mass.; Lynae Byler, a senior from Salisbury; Benjamin Carpenter, a senior from Columbus, Pa.; Travis Fife, a senior from Washington; John Flanigan, a junior from Frostburg, Md.; Anthony Jarrell, a senior from Mt. Morris; Evan Kephart, a senior from Washington; Sireno Mattie, a junior from Rices Landing. Also, Matthew McNeil, a senior from Pasadena, Calif.; Brendan Omicioli from Gowanda, N.Y.; K Scarry from Herndon, Va.; Robert Schultz from New Florence; Andrea Siciliano, a senior Finleyville; Rachel Wilson, a freshman from Lower Burrell; and Daniel Wise, a junior from Waynesburg.

Melissa Sargent, assistant to the director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership, and Frank Pazzynski, associate professor of education, will lead 11 students to serve at a Native American reservation in Tuba City, Ariz., from May 11 to May 18.

The group will serve with Navajo and Hopi peoples and will learn about their history and perspectives. Students will work in the school in a number of capacities including preparing a school carnival, a sports banquet, a Hero’s Day, a prom, a National Honor Society banquet and graduation.

Students participating in the mission service trip include: Theresa Butler, a sophomore from Uniontown; Jenna Blissman , a junior from Greensburg; Devin Coughlin, a sophomore from Belvidere, N.J; Emma Emmiliani, a sophomore from Canton; Brittney Nimal, a junior from Hickory; T’Ericka Perry, a junior from Baltimore, Md.; Madelyne Pieringer, a junior from Ligonier.

Also, Jonathan Sandoval, a freshman from Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Cori Schipani, a junior from Duquesne; Abby Wernert, a sophomore from Finleyville; and Allyson Wernert, a sophomore from Finleyville.

Dave Calvario, director of the Center for Service Leadership, will lead three students to Camden, N.J., from May 11 to May 18, to serve with Urban Promise, a faith-based after-school and summer camp program that aims to equip children and teens with skills for academic achievement, life management, spiritual growth and leadership.

Service will consist of working with children in Urban Promise’s kindergarten through 12th grade school, as well as it’s after school program. Waynesburg students will assist with homework, spiritual development, arts and crafts and athletic games.

Remaining time will be spent on labor projects in Urban Promise’s school and other ministries. Students will learn about the city of Camden and the poverty and social justice issues that exist there.

Urban Promise “is a Christian organization, and its mission lines up with our mission,” Calvario said. “Urban Promise is working to develop the next generation of leaders who will lead Camden, N.J., out of the trouble it is in.”

Students participating in this mission trip include: Brittney Bell, a senior from Clarksville; Heather Raymond, a junior from Owings, Md; and Gina Robinson, a junior from Lower Burrell.

Richard Blake, associate professor and librarian, will lead three students across the globe to Taipei, Taiwan, May 12 to May 30. Once there, the students will serve alongside students from Christ’s College.

Christ’s College, founded in 1959, provides a Christian Liberal Arts Education for Chinese students. The goal of the college is to build a strong Christian faith in the lives of students and to provide them with a solid academic foundation, according to Christ’s College website.

Students will have the unique opportunity to witness and serve as well as observe the Christian faith in a new culture. Service projects include leading worship, working with children, working with adults in a “house church” and more.

“The three young men will live in the men’s dormitory for the first week at Christ’s College, Taipei, and will interact with students to learn about and participate in Christian witness and service done by Taiwanese students and churches,” said Blake. “They will also attend some classes and lead a chapel service. Subsequently, they will stay with host families in different churches and participate in their local mission activities and worship events.”

Students participating in the trip include: Ryan Smith, a from Bridgeport, Ohio; Robert Parise, a junior from Moon Township; and Kyle Digiandomenico, a sophomore from Martins Ferry, Ohio.