In recent years, student interest in volunteer programs has increased, said Jamie Shouse, volunteer coordinator for the OU Volunteer Office.

Shouse said that as a result of increased interest in programs like The Big Event, the OU Volunteer Office has started more volunteer programs, such as the Adopt-A-Child program and the Thanksgiving basket program for Carter Hospice.

"The university attracts high quality students who appreciate the value of getting involved in their community," Shouse said. "The atmosphere that (OU)President (David L. Boren) and [Molly Shi} Boren have fostered is one of civic engagement and becoming active members of the Norman community."

She said student volunteers have an impact on the community by providing resources to non-profit organizations and that volunteering gives students a chance to interact with other university students.

The Women's Outreach Center has also experienced an increase in volunteers, said Joanne Nicholas, assistant director of the center.

Nicholas said the center started with about 50 volunteer applications, and now they have more than 200. She said students who cannot volunteer because of a time conflict can hang out in the office and help out with extra work.

"Student volunteers make such an impact," Nicholas said. "Knowing students have so many different commitments to academic and social activities, it is simply amazing to see their dedication to community service."

The Oklahoma Blood Institute works with a group of about 15 OU student volunteers called Friends of the OBI who volunteer on a regular basis, said LeeAnn Victery, blood program consultant for the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Victery said she has seen more students asking to volunteer.

She said the increase could be from visibility on the OU campus through events like health fairs and blood drives.

"It seems like more people are aware they can volunteer through us," Victery said. "They can see right then the direct impact that they have by volunteering."

She said that each year it seems more people are concerned and want to donate blood. She said they train their volunteers to take vital signs and register people to give blood, and then the volunteers help at blood drives.

Some students, like James Johnson, University College freshman, volunteer around the Norman community.

Johnson said this is his second year to volunteer for Whiz Kids, a tutoring program for first through fifth graders. He said he volunteered as a favor for a friend and stayed because he liked the program.

"If everyone joined at least one organization, they would benefit not just the people they helped, but also themselves," he said.

Johnson said he tutors a second grade student whose reading comprehension has increased to a third grade, first-month reading level in only five months.
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