Volunteer Spotlight: Rick Raymond '07

Raymond
When did you begin volunteering for Dickinson? 
I began to volunteer for Dickinson during my freshman year of college. I joined the Bonner Scholar Program which is a national program with commitment to do 450 hours of community service within 1.5 years. This program cultivated my personal love for volunteer work.

What prompted you to want to get more involved with Dickinson? 
As a freshman I thought it would be a great idea to join a program (or several programs) that would allow me to build my network and group of friends while at the college. I didn’t necessarily have volunteering in mind at the time but, I wanted to be a part of an organization from the early onset. As a result, I was sure to attend Activities Night hosted by the college. That night, I signed up for a couple of programs and have made life-long friends/ connections with both fellow students and faculty members as a direct result.

List the volunteer opportunities you participate in:  
I am currently a member of Alpha Phi Omega (service Fraternity), the Dickinson NYC alumni group planning committee, and I was involved in the planning for my 5-year class reunion. While on campus I was also a part of several groups which included the Diversity Initiatives Group, CommServ, and Umoja house.

What do you enjoy most about your volunteer experience? 
I am emotionally fulfilled knowing that I made even a small difference in the life or lives of others. I believe that the only way people progress in life is with the help of others. Albeit directly or indirectly, we have others to thank for the lives we all currently live today.

A fun Dickinson fact about yourself:
I was leader of the Dickinson improv comedy group “Run With It!” my senior year

What advice do you have for someone thinking about volunteering?  
Volunteering is so broad that it literally encompasses any and everything. Many times people only think of the stereotypical volunteering efforts such as tutoring, soup kitchens, etc. These may not be of interest to you however, if you think of something you enjoy doing regularly, you can fit volunteering into that. For instance, if you like sports you may be able to volunteer as an assistant coach or at a local YMCA for after school programs. No matter what it is, a volunteering opportunity can come from it. This will allow you to be “selfish” by doing what you love, with selfless gain.

Why do you choose to give to Dickinson? 
Without the contributions of others I would not have been able to attend Dickinson since I was attending on a full-tuition scholarship. My philosophy is to pay it forward. It feels great to know you will be aiding in the development of the future’s upcoming great and talented minds.

Published October 22, 2014