ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 16, 1997 TAG: 9701170005
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JONATHAN HUNLEY STAFF WRITER
Like many college students, Christopher L. Boyd usually gets less than five hours of sleep a night. Most days, he doesn't start his schoolwork until about 10 p.m.
But the 21-year-old Lynchburg College senior isn't procrastinating like the average collegian.
Boyd has a busy schedule because he spends much of his time serving others - a trait that earned him a 1996 Virginia Youth Service Award.
This is the first year the awards, which recognize outstanding community service, have been given.
Boyd, a Roanoke resident, was one of eight winners from a pool of about 60 nominees, said Kent Harrison, public education and special projects manager with the state Office of Volunteerism. Winners are selected by the Virginia Youth Service Council, a statewide organization of 13- to 23-year-olds who promote community service.
The award is not Boyd's first accolade. He has been successful in many endeavors - especially since he began college.
Boyd is the first black student to be president of the student body at the small, private, predominantly white Lynchburg College. He said he decided to go there because it's small and close to home.
He has also served as president of the Black Student Association, junior class president and sophomore class vice president.
He co-founded UNITY (yoU aNd I Together Yielding), a campus group that focuses on diversity.
Aside from these jobs, Boyd has still managed to sing in the college's gospel ensemble, work in the public relations office and write for the school newspaper.
Boyd is also a Young Champions mentor. He works with Lynchburg inner-city black males in the second, third and fourth grades. No matter how hectic his schedule gets, he said, he'll always find time for this activity. "I don't think I could ever be too busy for that," he said.
Last summer, Boyd gave back to a program he participated in from grades eight through 10. He donated $200 to Total Action Against Poverty's Project Discovery, a three-year program for college-bound students. The money came from a Lynchburg College humanitarian award he won.
Boyd said many college students don't realize the importance of community activities. After all, he said, when they graduate that's where they'll be: in the community, not in school.
Boyd's interest in volunteer work didn't begin in college. While attending Patrick Henry High School, he volunteered at the YMCA and with Habitat for Humanity.
He was also a member of PH's 1992 state champion basketball team.
Now, the only thing Boyd really does for fun is play basketball. But he wouldn't do his extracurricular activities if they weren't fun, he said.
"The key to life is to have fun in what you do," he said. "If you're not having fun, it's not worth doing."
Boyd said people use stress as a cop-out. When you eliminate excuses, you can accomplish more.
"I don't believe in being tired. Tired is an excuse," he said. "Now, sleepy - that's reality."
As for the future, Boyd, a communication studies major, plans to get a master's degree and a doctorate in journalism. He's looking at Syracuse University.
Boyd's interest in journalism began in high school. He attended The Roanoke Times Minority Journalism Workshop the summer before his senior year, and worked as an intern reporter at the paper last summer.
Boyd eventually wants to own a publication. He's not sure whether it will be a magazine or a newspaper or what its focus will be, but he's sure he'll succeed.
"I know that's what I want to do," he said. "I know that's what I'm going to do."
Boyd said he's looking forward to graduate school because he feels there's not much more he can do at Lynchburg College.
Those who know Boyd have seen his accomplishments firsthand.
Gina Caldwell, director of media relations for Lynchburg College, said that, in the 31/2 years she's worked with Boyd, she's been particularly impressed by his "team player" mentality.
"He very much appreciates the people he works with and that's very commendable," she said.
State Del. Joyce Crouch, R-Lynchburg, nominated Boyd for the Virginia Youth Service Award. In her nomination, she praised Boyd's commitment to "serving his fellow students and the less advantaged of the Lynchburg community."
"What makes Chris so impressive is not only his record of service, but his attitude toward service," she wrote. "His humble, faith-filled attitude endears him to those he serves."
Boyd admits he has determination. On his business card is a quote from minister and author Charles Swindoll that says, "Life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."
Boyd said he learned this way of thinking by believing in God and by seeing the example his mom, Dianne, set for her sons.
A single mother, she had to defer college to take care of Boyd and his two brothers. She graduated from Radford University in 1996 with a degree in music therapy.
Dianne Boyd, who now works as the activity director at English Meadow Retirement Center in Christiansburg, admitted it was strange to be going to college at the same time as her children. But she didn't want to attend school until she was mentally and emotionally ready, she said.
"It was a big strain, but it was something I had to do for myself," she said.
Naturally, Dianne is proud of her son. She said she thinks Christopher is able to do so much because he has a high energy level.
"That's just his genetic makeup, I guess," she said. "He has to be busy."
She also said she's glad he chooses to channel his energy "in a positive direction."
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART/Staff. Christopher Boyd, a seniorby CNBcommunication studies major at Lynchburg College, plans to get a
master's degree and a doctorate in journalism. color.