In 1995 Clemson students formed a student chapter of the Habitat for Humanity organization. Working with the Clemson University administration, the Habitat for Humanity chapter undertook its construction project in conjunction with the University s annual Homecoming celebration. This football celebration entails student organizations building and decorating large displays on the campus commons known as Bowman Field. To these displays a Habitat for Humanity project was added. During Homecoming week 1995 (and in subsequent years as well) student volunteers labored to build a Habitat for Humanity home. Unexpectedly, the workforce rapidly expanded beyond student chapter members. Over one hundred students (including graduate assistants and student athletes) actively participated in the initial year’s construction.
The student chapter asked for donations to purchase supplies and building materials. Local churches and civic groups responded, as did University faculty, staff and students. Donations and student volunteers have been so extensive that in 1999 two Habitat for Humanity homes will be constructed. Once Homecoming is over, homes are transported by professional house movers to a permanent site in the community where construction is completed. Students affiliated with Clemson s landscape architecture and horticulture programs donate time to landscape these homes.
The number of students involved in the construction is not known because of innumerable “”drop-ins”" during Homecoming week. However, the tally of known students participating in construction this past October was just shy of 500.
All campuses develop traditions that last for years. At Clemson the all-night efforts to construct Homecoming displays is one of those traditions. An icon of that tradition is the Habitat for Humanity project, which is viewed by our student body as a true “”service”" project provided by Clemson students as a distinctive and memorable part of their Homecoming experience.
Contact person: Chris Heavner, Habitat for Humanity Advisor, pastorc {at} clemson(.)edu
Web: http://people.clemson.edu/~habitat/
