By Sydney Engelhardt
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Towson University students and facility members came together Thursday to learn why it is important to get involved in activities on and off campus as a way to help themselves and the greater Towson community.
The Building Our Community luncheon, which was organized by the university’s Student Government Association and Student Activities, was held at the University Union’s Potomac Lounge and featured speeches by local business leaders, university officials, and Towson graduates who spoke about the benefits of volunteering time to various organizations and causes in Baltimore County.
“The main goal of the event is to promote community engagement for our students and also our neighbors,” said Joyce Herold, the coordinator for Off-Campus Student Services. “We introduce and create opportunities to let the students meet the neighbors and be apart of the bigger community.”
Chris Scriber, who graduated from Towson in 2013 and is now an intern at the Department of State, said the extracurricular activities he engaged in as an undergraduate helped him develop the skills he needed to work for the U.S. government.
“Specifically project management skill that I learned in Student Government Association and Latin American Student Organization directly contribute me being able to meet deadlines and communicate affectively with my teammates at the Department of State,” Scriber said.
He said he gained interpersonal skills as a resident assistant and orientation leader that help him deal with conflicts in the work place.
Even his involvement with Alpha Omega Fraternity gave him skills for the future. Scriber said that his time as beta chapter fraternity president equipped him with the drive to start big projects and see them through.
“Without my campus involvement I would not be the man, employee, friend or leader that I am today,” Sciber said. “My Towson story is a testament to the effects that involvement can have on your college experience.”
He said learning goes beyond the classroom and has great impact on the community.
“With passionate student leaders I believe that Towson will continue to change lives both inside and outside the classroom,” Scriber said.
Amy Asuquo, who graduated from Towson in 2009 with a degree in business administration and now works for Continental Realty Corp. in Towson, said she got pregnant and had to leave college. She said she was determined to come back to make meaningful connections with the community.
“The more you get involved, the more you put yourself out there in the community, you will gain meaningful experiences and continue on the path of success,” Asuquo said.
In her job with Continental Realty, Asuquo said she often works with students from Towson through the university’s Community Ambassador program. She said she sees the impact and importance involvement has on students and their neighbors.
“Even the smallest connections can do really big things,” Asuquo said.
The program does this through events such as wing night at the Green Turtle. This event not only brings students and the community together, but also informs students about ways to be a good neighbor.
“When you come here to TU you are not just a member of the university community, you are a member of the Towson community as a whole, the Baltimore County community,” said Corinne DeRoberts, the coordinator of Community Service at Towson. “As soon as you step off this campus you enter a new community.”
DeRoberts said students have many opportunities to give back to the community, including First Fridays, where students connect with neighbors, and participate in community service like helping the homeless.
Nancy Hafford, the executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, said students give back by helping volunteer for events such as the Towson Town Spring Festival.
“I don’t know if you realize the impact that you have on our town, the money that you bring in,” Hafford said. “You are the ones that have helped Towson to grow.”
“Towson University has such strong players, I hope that students understand that they are part of a larger community and have a big impact,” said Deb Moriarty, vice president for Student Affairs.