In an effort to clean, restore,and beautify the university as well as the surrounding community, Prairie View students, faculty, and staff gathered as part of a community service volunteer project titled “Panthers at Work.”The event took place Saturday, Sept. 9. Despite dreary and rainy weather conditions, nearly 1,000 students showed up to participate.
Students gathered in the new gym at 7 a.m., where they were served breakfast, split into groups, and assigned project sites.
The project sites included over 30 locations throughout the cities of Prairie View, Waller, and Hempstead.
“P.A.W. is a valuable partnership between the community and the university; it is a good opportunity for students to have positive interactions with the residents of Prairie View, Hempstead, and Waller,” said Tyra Metoyer, director of university relations.
Panthers at Work is a service-learning program sponsored by the Office of Institutional Relations and Public Service to bridge the gap between students and the community. This was the second year for the event and student registration nearly doubled.
“This service learning project is an excellent opportunity for the students, faculty, and staff of Prairie View A&M University to apply the knowledge and skills we have acquired to outside entities,” said junior Melvin Wilson Miller.
At the project sites, students cleaned, organized, dusted, cleared debris, and performed a variety of maintenance and custodial jobs. Students also worked to beautify the community by preserving plants, trees, and habitations.
“This event was very valuable to Prairie View students as well as the community. We go to school here, so this is our community also and it is very important that we take pride in it,” said freshman Brooklyn Ariel.
Participating students received certificates documenting their contributions and acknowledging their community service hours.
“This community service event was worthwhile, and the participation from the faculty, staff, and general student body was phenomenal,” said student government association president LaQuincy Arnold.