Sherman, Texas — Austin College students, faculty, staff, and campus organizations will participate in a variety of environmentally concerned projects during the 14th annual GreenServe the morning of Saturday, April 20. Over 8,000 service hours have been logged by 2,187 volunteers since GreenServe’s inception in 2010.

Groups of volunteers will clean and beautify locations throughout Sherman and beyond, including Eisenhower State Park, Sneed Prairie, and the College’s Lake Campus on Lake Texoma. Volunteers will also plant a butterfly garden with United Way, maintain garden beds for Habitat for Humanity, and help with bulk recycling and information distribution at the Sherman Earth Day Festival.

GreenServe is a collaborative effort of the College’s Service Station­­—a student-run office that promotes the involvement of all students in volunteer and community service efforts—and Austin College Thinking Green (THINK), which serves as an umbrella for all campus greening initiatives.  Austin College has been designated a “Green College” by the Princeton Review for over a decade, demonstrating consistent commitment to greening projects throughout campus.

Rebecca Jones ’13, Austin College alumna and coordinator of the Center for Environmental Studies and THINK staff sponsor, said, "It is heartening to send so many excited Austin College students out each year and see them make a real difference in the community. This year, in the spirit of the college's 175th anniversary, we hope to encourage more involvement from local alumni, faculty, and staff. We believe GreenServe offers more than just community service hours to participants—it is a chance to see and appreciate the impact that individuals can have on their community and the local environment."

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.