At a glance
“This is so impressive in so many ways. “It is a special combination of efforts between our community, Alfred State, and Alfred University. We are all Alfred at the end of the day. What better way to come together as a team than to make our downtown area more beautiful.”
Dr. Steve Mauro
Just under a hundred individuals including students from Alfred State and Alfred University joined by members of the Alfred community gathered Saturday for a Day of Service. Projects focused on helping spruce up areas on Main St. in Alfred.
“This is so impressive in so many ways,” commented Alfred State President Dr. Steve Mauro. “It is a special combination of efforts between our community, Alfred State, and Alfred University. We are all Alfred at the end of the day. What better way to come together as a team than to make our downtown area more beautiful.”
Dr. Mauro was joined by Alfred University Provost Beth Ann Dobie, and Kathy Benzaquin from Alfred 21st Century Group to thank the volunteers before they headed out to start projects around the village.
Projects included but were not limited to staining and painting village benches, painting the gazebo and the Box Exchange stand at the corner of Main and West University Street, sprucing up the welcome to Alfred sign on County Rte. 12., and cleanup and painting around the Alfred library, Fire Department, and local businesses.
Cyan Corwine, director of global engagement and civic wellbeing, was pleased with the effort. “It was great to unite as a community and help others. It is inspiring to see students from both campuses and community members work together to make our little village even nicer.”
As a surprise, mums were delivered to business owners to be displayed in their front doors.
Alfred State’s Assistant Vice President of Health and Wellbeing Jonathan Hilsher and Alfred University’s Dean of Student Experience Thomas Orrange and Associate Athletic Director Erin Schurr joined Corwine and Benzaquin on the planning committee.
Organizers of the event hope to continue to host similar events throughout the school year.