The Cleveland Urban Plunge

For the past 25 years, the Cleveland Urban Plunge has been a tradition in the Social Work department. Senior Social Work majors devote a Saturday in the fall semester to learning more about urban life and the struggles that come with it. Though previously held over an entire weekend, the shortened Urban Plunge still has a lot to offer students. 

A first-hand look at poverty and homelessness can be incredibly powerful. “This trip has enabled me to understand myself and how I react to certain situations,” said senior Hillary Falter, “I definitely went out of my comfort zone, but I believe it changed me for the better and I am more thankful for what I have.”

When asked about the most memorable moment of the trip, Jennifer Tenbrook talked about a man she had met on the trip named Ray. He had been homeless since 2005, when he moved to Cleveland after Hurricane Katrina. “Even though he has been homeless for 8 years, he was still very happy and outgoing, as though nothing could possibly bring him down.”

Hillary also commented on the positive attitudes of people she met on the trip. “Despite the situations these individuals have encountered, they did not fail to stay positive-- how powerful is that?”

For more information about the Social Work and Family Studies Department, visit our website.

Social Work Seniors Travel to Cleveland

This past weekend, senior Social Work majors participated in the Urban Plunge, a trip to Cleveland with the purpose of looking at the challenges of living in an urban area. Stay tuned for further details on the trip, as well as students' reactions to the experience, later this week.

Amanda Roberts, Maureen Centa, Nikki Wrubel, Bethanee
Burden, Jennifer Tenbrook, Elizabeth Marconi, Hillary Falter,
Hillary Krause, and Katelyn Exner on the Urban Plunge

50th Anniversary March on Washington Event

Last Wednesday, the Ashland Center for Nonviolence celebrated the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington event. Students, staff members, and citizens of Ashland gathered at the Ashland Theological Seminary and walked with signs down College Avenue, proceeding to the Eagle’s Nest on campus to view footage of the original march as well as watch the “I Have a Dream” speech. Following the speech, the group discussed the meanings of the speech, the effects of the march, and the continued fight for equality that still exists today. Approximately 50 people of all ages participated in the event.

For more information on the Ashland Center for Nonviolence and their programs, please visit their website.

Nancy Udolph, a Social Work department faculty member, with
students at the March (L-R: Jennifer Williams, Diana Anchundia,
and Jessie Ryder)

First Social Work Club Meeting

Last week, Ashland’s Social Work Club met for the first time this school year. Pizza, pop, and cookies were served to students as upcoming events were discussed.

Social Work Club’s major event, Skip-A-Meal, is quickly approaching. Skip-A-Meal is an annual fundraiser where Social Work Club members collect meal swipes outside of the Eagles Nest to provide food baskets to charity. It is a week-long event and counts for community service hours as well as professional identity credit. The date for this year’s Skip-A-Meal has not been set, but the executive committee is looking at potentially having it during the first three weeks in October. For any conflicts or questions, please email one of the group’s Co-Presidents at ahiggins@ashland.edu or hfalter@ashland.edu.

The group also discussed the purchase of t-shirts for this school year. Last year’s shirts were very popular and the possibility of changing the design or color was also brought up. Please email ahiggins@ashland.edu or hfalter@ashland.edu if you are interested or have ideas for new shirts. The price would be approximately $10 per shirt.