[357] MTSU Partnering wth Habitat for Humanity to Build 3rd Home

MTSU partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build 3rd home

FOR RELEASE: March 30, 2012
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Jackie Victory, 615-898-5812 or Jackie.Victory@mtsu.edu

MURFREESBORO—MTSU's Office of Leadership and Service is partnering once again with Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity to build a home, this time to celebrate the University’s Centennial.

In January 2006 MTSU students began fundraising efforts through various programs for the first MTSU Habitat Blitz Build. 2012 will mark the completion of the third home built for a Rutherford County resident by MTSU and Habitat.

MTSU's Centennial Habitat Build began Jan. 25. Construction is continuing on the East Sevier Street site, and the completion date and dedication ceremony are planned for April 19.

During the dedication, Rutherford County resident Yvonne Summers will receive the keys to her new home, where she said she looks forward to having a special place for her grandchildren to visit and a yard for a garden.

“Before I leave this earth, I can say I owned something,” Summers said.

The Centennial build is unique in that the only onsite volunteers are MTSU students, faculty and staff.

The house cost $60,000 to build with $20,000 being funded by members of the MTSU community. Other contributions came from supporters who wanted to help but were unable to physically participate in the build, organizers said.

"Our students are able to share in the sweat of building a house and also the gift of giving a home," said Jacqueline Victory, director of the Office Leadership and Service, which is part of MTSU’s Division of Student Affairs, Enrollment and Academic Services.

"MTSU students are not just about building a house. Our students working with Habitat are learning servant leadership through experience. Yes, it is fun and exciting, but ultimately our students were able to set aside their time and responsibilities to giving willingly to Ms. Summers and her future home."

Summers made sure to express her thanks to her family, friends, MTSU, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Haynes Brothers Lumber, a Building Rutherford partner, for making her dreams come true.

“As our True Blue pledge states, ‘I am engaged in the life of this community. I am a recipient and a giver,’” Victory pointed out. “We hope that every time Ms. Summers passes MTSU, she truly embraces True Blue with us!”

For more information on MTSU's department of Leadership and Service visit www.mtsu.edu/leadandserve. For more information on Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, visit www.rchfh.org.

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Editors: Lauren Price, a graduate student in the Office of News and Media Relations, wrote this article. Please use her byline on it if possible. Thanks!

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