“The Spirit of Change,” a movement of students inspiring students, was founded by new student programs in 2010. Since then, approximately $3,500 has been raised to provide random acts of kindness from students to fellow students throughout the semester. These may include a free cup of coffee or an umbrella in the rain.

Fundraising for The Spirit of Change takes place during Opening Week and the first week of school. A fountain is constructed each Opening Week between the Puck and Norwood Hall. Students who have extra change drop it in the fountain during these two weeks. Proceeds from the Opening Week design project (Project X) vehicles that are auctioned each year to faculty and staff go to the Spirit of Change fund.
Some acts of kindness have included: getting parking meters paid for a day, juice and homemade cupcakes after math exams, a free cup of coffee and hot chocolate on a chilly day and a free tailgate party with food. A portion of the money was used to buy wristbands for a fundraiser to help a student who was in a car accident. The wristbands raised $6,000 for this student’s family after his passing due to the accident. Last year, The Spirit of Change funds helped victims of an off-campus fire in a student apartment building.
New student programs determined that The Spirit of Change program would be better served by a student organization due to student involvement. PRO (Preview, Registration and Orientation) leaders researched to find the best organization to house the program and found the Blue Key Honor Society (“Serving, I Live” is its motto) to be the best fit. Blue Key has agreed to embrace The Spirit of Change and will now be responsible for the project. New student programs and the PRO leaders will continue to support and raise funds during Opening Week for this project.
To help support the project, contact Fawn Kostal . Click here for more information about the Blue Key Honor Society.