Mission group makes sixth trip to serve John Perkins Foundation
Tom Ribar, Waynesburg University chaplain, and Lynda Bradley, department of education placement and certification coordinator, will lead 25 students to Jackson, Miss., from Saturday, May 8 until Saturday, May 15, for a service and educational trip.
The group will serve in conjunction with the John Perkins Foundation, working on various building projects and studying racial reconciliation and community development issues. This year marks the University’s sixth trip to serve the foundation.
“The partnership with the Perkins Foundation has grown to be an important component in the education experience of nearly 100 students,” Ribar said. “These students have been stretched to understand in a fresh way, the radical demands of the Gospel and the nature of racial reconciliation.”
According to Ribar, this year will be special because John and Vera Mae Perkins will celebrate their fifth year of ministry in June.
Senior communication major Tyler Amy has served on the trip in the past and looks forward to gaining a better understanding of the Foundation’s vision.
“Serving with and learning from the folks at the Perkins Foundation is important to me because of their deep commitment to their community,” Amy said. “I may not live in Jackson, Mississippi after graduation, but I can certainly take what I learn there and apply it to where I live.”
Students participating in the trip include:
• Tyler Amy, a senior communication (public relations) major from Corry (Corry Area High School)
• Dylan August, a senior secondary education/english major from Bethel Park (Bethel Park Senior High School)
• Whitney Bosnyak, a senior social science (sociology) major from Cranberry Township (Seneca Valley Senior High School)
• David Burch, a junior history major from Fresno, Ohio (Ridgewood High School)
• Amy Byler, junior human services (social science) major from Salisbury (Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School)
• Marybeth Crouch, a senior biblical and ministry studies (children and youth ministry) major from Camas, Wash. (Evergreen High School)
• Leann Danley, a sophomore elementary/special education major from West Finley (McGuffey High School)
• Brian Davis, a junior communication major from Finleyville (Ringgold High School)
• Shane Fleming, a senior information technology major from Munhall (Steel Valley Senior High School)
• Margaret Graham, a senior communication (public relations) and social science (sociology) major from Greensburg (Greensburg-Salem High School)
• Josh Hoobler, a senior biology (pre-physical therapy) major from Steubenville, Ohio (Edison High School)
• Sean Hunt, a sophomore nursing major from Coraopolis (Cornell High School)
• Mike Jones, a junior psychology major from Hershey (Huntingdon Area High School)
• Elise Lane, a junior psychology major from Jones Mills (Champion Christian School)
• Sarah McCoy, a junior human services (social science) major from Steubenville, Ohio (Jefferson County Christian School)
• David Mesing, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Finleyville (Wilson Christian Academy)
• Lauren Minor, a sophomore biology major from Prosperity (Waynesburg Central High School)
• Whitney Proviano, a junior English (professional writing) major from Oakland (Wilkinsburg Senior High School)
• Heather Quinlisk, a senior elementary/special education major from Bethel Park (Bethel Park Senior High School)
• Kameron Schaefer, a sophomore history/secondary education major from Ohiopyle (Uniontown Area Senior High School)
• Sierra Shafer, a junior communication (journalism) major from Estes Park, Colo. (Estes Park High School)
• Katie Stauffer, a junior athletic training major from Williamston, Mich. (Williamston High School)
• Rachell Storm, a senior communication (public relations) major from New Waterford, Ohio (Crestview High School)
• Jaron Swab, a junior social science (pre-law) major from Greensburg (Greensburg-Salem High School)
• DeJan Toney, a senior forensic science major from Youngstown, Ohio (Rayen School)
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three adult centers located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and is one of only 27 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.
# # #
Released May 4, 2010
Contact: Pam Cunningham, Assistant Director of University Relations
724.852.3384 or pcunning@waynesburg.edu