With the kickoff of the spring 2009 semester will begin the organizing of the third ETSU Habitat for Humanity house building project—and with it the continued goal of increased leadership and participation by students themselves.

For the most recent house, participation was around 320 or 330 volunteers and at least 35 different student organizations. Fund-raising efforts reached $33,607.62, at the check-in point just before the dedication on Dec. 2, when the keys were given over to the Ingram family.

This was a slight increase in volunteer numbers and a huge increase in financial support from the first campus building project, completed by Homecoming 2007.

This year’s fundraising efforts ranged from seeking a dollar from each student around campus to a golf tournament and dinner with the university president. There was even a competition among academic and student groups to see who could raise the most.

Those recognized during the Dec. 2 ceremony were as follows:
• The Paul E. Stanton Jr. Habitat Award (awarded to the academic department that raises the most funds for the project): First Place -The Clemmer College of Education and Second Place - The College of Business and Technology.
• The Wyeth Lawson Habitat Award (awarded to the student organization that raises the most funds for the project):
First Place - Wesley Foundation; Second Place -The Entrepreneurs Club; and Third Place - Kappa Omicron Nu. 

Totally more than $4,000 was raised by the award recipients, according to Wyeth Lawson, a founding student member of the campus Habitat project and current adviser to the ETSU Council.

Thomas Evely and Dusty Tolley both worked on the Council and on raising money for the 2008 project. In early October they set up a table outside the Culp Center as part of the “one dollar” campaign. That effort raised $672, they said. “It’s a very good cause and there is something special to build a house for a family while working with them,” Evely said.

That same month nutrition honor society members sold homemade baked goods and fruit at a table set up on campus. “We’re just happy to get involved in our community,” said volunteer Cristy Miller.

ETSU, which teams with the Holston Habitat for Humanity on the project, had as a goal to raise $35,000 and to complete the house in 12 weeks. This year’s house, built on Franklin Street, in the Tree Neighbor just a few blocks from campus, went to Rita and Teddy Ingram and their six children.

          – Photos and around campus reporting by Mimmi Tornberg