Waynesburg students restore old cemeteries

Waynesburg University’s incoming freshmen class during their first weekend on campus participated in a service project at the Pennsylvania State Game Lands.
More than 475 volunteers, which included upperclassmen, Bonner scholars, orientation leaders and university faculty and staff, served alongside the freshman class Saturday on the state game lands near Kirby.
The volunteers focused on revitalizing several cemeteries in the game lands. Dating to the 1880s, the cemeteries were overgrown with brush and were in need of maintenance.
In addition to clearing brush, repositioning fallen tombstones, setting posts to mark cemetery areas and painting fences, the group also built and hung 150 bluebird boxes.
“The new students volunteered alongside wildlife conservation officers to perform environmental stewardship,” said Kelley Hardie, the assistant dean of student services.
“The outcome was remarkable and all service tasks were completed. The officers were extremely proud of our students’ hard work and servant hearts.”
The first two days of new student orientation were devoted to faith and learning, with the third day focusing on service through the project at the game lands.