Wittenberg grad all about community service
Friday, May 09, 2008
Brittney Dye is graduating from Wittenberg University today, May 10, but it's not very clear how much time she actually spent on campus.
That is because whenever she had a chance, Dye, of Pickering, was in the community, giving back.
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Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"I don't really know how many hours I've spent (in community service)" she said. "It's kind of hard to keep track of some things." Wittenberg officials guess it's been at least 300 hours.
Heavily involved in the American Cancer Society, Dye co-founded Wittenberg's Colleges against Cancer program and chaired the 2006-07 Relay for Life that earned a record $20,000. She also volunteered with Rocking Horse Center and Project Jericho. At-Risk Youth Module. Of late, she was working with the Exodus hip hop dance troupe for Project Jericho.
She did this while working her way through school and achieving numerous academic achievement honors, including the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Biology and Phi Beta Kappa honors. She was named 2008 Greek Woman of the Year. And through the Chi Omega sorority, supported the Make a Wish Foundation.
"I have never thought that one person cannot make a difference," Dye said.
But she said she is not alone.
"(Wittenberg students) give a lot to the city," Dye said. "A lot of my friends are staying in Springfield after graduation."
She recited one of her favorite quotes: "Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living..."
Dye will pursue her masters degree in genetic counseling at the University of Michigan, after which she plans to work in the field of cancer genetic research.
"I believe we're closer than ever to finding a cure (for cancer)," she said.
Today Dye will join 442 degree candidates during the university's 163rd commencement ceremony held at 2 p.m. at Commencement Hollow.
A total of 129 graduates will earn Latin honors in recognition of their exceptional academic pursuits. Sixty-three of them will be designated cum laude (3.5-3.69 grade point average), 23 magna cum laude (3.7-3.79) and 43 summa cum laude (3.8-4.0). Among the latter group, three students achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
U.S. Rep.. Dave Hobson (R- Springfield), will deliver the commencement speech. Hobson, who received an honorary doctorate of laws from Wittenberg in 1992, will be conferred honorary alumnus status at the ceremony. He is retiring this year after serving nine terms in Congress.
