Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 20, 1992 TAG: 9203200327
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG HIGHER EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"She inspired me," the Virginia Tech student said, his voice breaking. Wiss smiled, then shrugged it off, trying not to take the credit.
Wiss has volunteered to sponsor international students who are new to the area. More recently people like Bernhardt, a student who alternates semesters between college and working, have lived in her home and listened to her advice.
But this story isn't about Wiss, who has helped students for much of her life.
It's about Bernhardt and a new breed of college students - students who volunteer.
Nationwide, an increasing number of students have cast aside the label of the "me generation," and turned their attention to helping others.
On Thursday, General Motors and the Department of Recreational Sports held a ceremony to honor three Tech students with the Volunteer Spirit Award for distinguished service.
Their experiences ranged from the Jaycees to service fraternities, teen support programs to Raft Community Crisis Center, the Special Olympics, Tech's honor system and a group home for the mentally handicapped. Nearly 40 students were nominated for the awards.
"These students have reached out to their community and to the commonwealth," said James Dyke, state secretary of education.
To bring attention to some programs, you need a gimmick, Dyke said. "But here, you don't need a gimmick. People understand the contribution these students have made."
Alice Blair, a senior in child development, and Andrew Wolff, a junior in management science, received the awards along with Bernhardt, a junior in electrical engineering. They also were given five shares each of GM stock.
Far too often, Tech president James McComas said, students are recognized for the bad things they do.
"But volunteerism has increased 300 percent in the past few years," he said. "Students are caring for the children . . . caring for the elderly. `Volunteer' contains two special letters: V and T."
Volunteers make other people's lives better, Dyke said. "I want you to renew your pledge to volunteer and serve the community."
And he put in a plug for one of his pet projects: a general obligation bond that would put millions of dollars into higher education, including $43 million at Tech.
"I'd like to see you volunteer and help the bond issue in November," he said.
by CNB