December 22, 2015

SVSU students support young cancer patient, raise $7,700 for Hurley Children’s Hospital

Saginaw Valley State University students who are members of the international medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon raised $7,700 for The Children's Miracle Network at Hurley Children’s Hospital, which supports improving medical facilities and healthcare for ailing youths.

SVSU’s Phi Delta Epsilon members organized a benefit dinner at Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw Township in November to generate the funds. It marks the third consecutive year the group has raised money for Hurley Children’s Hospital; they have collected more than $26,000 during the three years.

In addition to the fundraising event, Phi Delta Epsilon’s members also have volunteered to spend time with 5-year-old Rowan Neumann, who is battling childhood leukemia and is a beneficiary of the Children’s Miracle Network. Members accompanied Neumann and his family on a tour of a Saginaw Township Fire Department fire stations. The visit included a ride in one of the fire trucks.

“These students are great examples of how SVSU gives back to the community in meaningful and genuine ways,” said Heidi Lang, Phi Delta Epsilon’s adviser. “It's a privilege to work with this caring group of individuals who care so much about each other and the community.”

In 2015, SVSU received the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation. National research has shown that students who are engaged in the community and on campus are more likely to be successful academically, and to have the critical thinking, problem-solving skills, self-efficacy, and adaptability desired by employers.