The annual Southwestern College freshman workday will be Sunday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 8:30 p.m.  For the first time, a majority of the work at this year’s event will happen in one location, Winfield’s Island Park. The first-year Moundbuilders will being work immediately following their return from Builder Camp in Oklahoma.

“Freshmen workday looks a little different this year due to some changes in the beginning-of-school calendar but the purpose remains the same. Freshmen workday is always a strong connecting point for the freshmen class and helps embed a service-minded perspective as is reflected in Southwestern’s mission statement. The event creates an opportunity for students to serve and connect with the community and in doing so helps the students get familiar with their new home,” says Brae Wood, director of Leadership Southwestern.

According to Wood, the student work will include cleaning the park, rebulbing Isle of Lights displays, and making sure trails at the nature center are clear.  The first- year students will also go to certain locations around Winfield to paint houses, apartments, and decks, do yard work, and will spread mulch in one of the school playgrounds.  

Southwestern College sponsors the workday and the Leadership team at SC organizes and plans the service experience.

“Each student participating will get a t-shirt to help remember this important piece of their SC experience,” Wood says.  “The theme for this year is ‘There's No Place Like Winfield.’”

Leadership Southwestern has partnered with the City of Winfield, Mosaic, First United Methodist Church, Grace United Methodist Church, and Holy Name Catholic School on these projects.