By Tippi Rasp
Autry Technology Center is doing more than educating students in cutting edge technology — instructors also are introducing community service projects to make them more well-rounded employees.
“Everybody thinks about the hard skills we teach here,” said Jeremy Eaton, director of student activities. “Those soft skills are just as important. Being involved and giving back to your community is just as important as anything you learn technically.”
Eaton said instructors are encouraged to adopt at least two community service projects of their own. Classes usually pick a cause close to their chosen career and Eaton said when students get to choose their own cause, they are more likely to participate.
Last October, 27 Autry Tech students registered to participate in Making A Difference for Kids Day and performed various jobs at various schools in Enid.
The list of students and their involvement and fund raising endeavors is lengthy. If a student learns of a cause, someone thinks of a way to raise money for that cause.
Last October, students raised nearly $1,000 in coins for Gulf Coast hurricane victims. One group of radiography students held a Pamper the South diaper drive for hurricane victims.
Students also college pop tabs to donate to Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City.
Some groups count on Autry Technology Center students to give to their organization annually. Students typically donate from 8,000 to 10,000 items of food during the holidays for Our Daily Bread. Other student groups adopt entire families or collect gifts to give as part of the Adopt-an-Angel program.
The Autry Tech dental and medical assisting and health careers certification students bought gifts for more than 100 children then wrapped more than 300 gifts and delivered them in time for a Christmas party hosted Thursday by YWCA, said Shannon Manuel, instructor for the medical and dental assisting programs.
The recipients were children referred by Salvation Army and other agencies, said Dena Patterson, YWCA child advocate. Each of the 60 Autry students got at least one envelope with $30 cash and a list of items and sizes. Students tried to pick out one clothing item and one toy. Wal-Mart donated 107 $5 gift cards to the cause.
Manuel said this year marks the fourth year Autry students have taken the time to shop and wrap the gifts for the Christmas party.
Another long-term activity is the four-mile section of U.S. 81 from Fox Drive to Waukomis students have pledged to keep clean. Twice each year, students and organization groups college trash and debris as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Students also participate in blood drives, raise money for support and research of treatments for cancer and other diseases, and visit nursing home residents.
“It’s good PR, and it helps our community, obviously,” Eaton said. “We encourage them to do as many (community service projects) as they can.”
The health science students use their new expertise to help others. The help dispense flu shots with the Garfield County Health Department and send students each month to the free clinic to get vital signs and gather information. They also help other organizations with health screenings and by collecting items to donate.
Graphic arts students collect books and send care packages to troops serving overseas.
They even help care for their own. Each year, management adopts up to two students to provide food and clothing for. The health program students provide Thanksgiving baskets to needy Autry students and their families and other programs and organizations adopt individuals and families and provide them with food baskets.
Eaton said the service projects are all about educating the whole student so they can become good employees in the future.
