Building More Than Just Walls
On a cloudy move-in weekend, around 450 incoming business students at the University of Dayton made a positive impact on their new community by participating in a Habitat for Humanity panel build. This event showcased the University’s commitment to service and community involvement, taking place on campus as the students embarked on their college journeys and began to lay both literal and symbolic foundations for their futures.
During the weekend, the students collaborated to construct walls for a future Habitat for Humanity home. Once finished, these panels were raised on site, providing a sense of achievement before being transported to the Edgemont neighborhood for final assembly.
“This event perfectly embodies our values at the University of Dayton,” remarked Trevor Collier, Dean of the School of Business Administration. “We encourage our students to engage in service from the very start, and this build is just one of many ways they will connect with the Dayton community during their time here.”
David Mauch, Development Director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton, emphasized the importance of the students’ efforts. “This panel build is a vital first step in helping a local family achieve homeownership with a 0% interest rate,” he stated. “Last year’s Flyer Nation Habitat for Humanity Build was a great success, and we’re excited to launch Flyer Nation Build #2 with the University of Dayton’s support.”
Since its inception in 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton has constructed nearly 400 homes, offering affordable homeownership to those in need. Families chosen to purchase a Habitat home must complete at least 275 hours of volunteer work, termed “sweat equity,” along with over 40 hours of homeownership education.
Last year’s incoming students also took part in a similar initiative, and the home they began is set to be completed this fall, marking the first new house in the Edgemont neighborhood in 80 years—a significant step in revitalizing the area.
Despite the weather challenges, students found joy and connection in the experience. “My favorite part was definitely the camaraderie among strangers,” shared Anna Wallace, an incoming first-year marketing major. “We just met, and we were building a wall together, soaking wet in pouring rain. It feels like we’re all close now.”
Lily Flynn, an incoming first-year accounting student, reflected similarly: “We all just came together and embraced the rain, creating something good.”
As the panels were raised and the students watched the start of a new home take form, they recognized that their work was just beginning. For these future business leaders, building a home for a local family serves as a meaningful introduction to the University’s mission of blending education with purposeful service.
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