O
. . for our good health . .
tterbein faculty and students are involved in numerous service programs that address the health
and wellness of our communities. Dick Reynolds, Otterbein’s athletic director and head men’s basketball coach, not only views student-athlete participation in service as a priority, he makes certain that teams get involved in a variety of initiatives each year. “The community partnerships are vital because they prepare Otterbein athletes for a lifetime of community service,” Reynolds said. Lauren’s First and Goal, WARM, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Miracle League, Special Olympics and Westerville Parks and Recreation represent a few of the athletic department’s partnerships. “Community service demonstrates well-rounded individuals and allows members of the community to know our athletes on a personal level. Our athletes also serve as role models. Their involvement encourages the community’s youth to follow their lead,” Reynolds said.
Patti Wilson, senior instructor in Otterbein’s health and sports sciences department, oversees First Year Seminar (FYS) students as they work with a group of fifth-graders from Emerson Elementary School in Westerville. The program helps the fifthgraders discover and develop their strengths in academics, leadership and community engagement and culminates in a community service-learning project to help combat hunger. Wendy Johnston, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Earth Science, also encourages students to take an interest in the health of community members through her Face of AIDS course, which allows students to confront the complexity of the AIDS epidemic. “In its 30-year history, HIV/AIDS has claimed
Left: Psychology Professor Denise Hatter-Fisher sets up a table at a community wellness program, getting assistance from her son, Ian. Above: Lafayette College defensive coordinator John Loose, Otterbein football head coach Joe Loth, and former Ohio State University football head coach Jim Tressel with Lauren Loose at the first annual Lauren’s First and Goal football camp in 2010. The camp is a fundraiser for cancer research and also to support families living with pediatric cancer.
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