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Hannah Budde

Major: Human Development and Family Science

Activity: Budde traveled to two small villages outside of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Through the outreach ministry Mission Emanuel, she and 17 others volunteered in a medical clinic, did construction projects, painted a playground, and hosted a children’s program.

"A friend and I spent a day volunteering at a medical clinic. I answered phones, filled prescriptions, and talked to patients in the waiting room, some who had been waiting more than 2 hours. There, we saw patients with mumps, scabies, infections, and other ailments. My friend, who is studying human nutrition, wrote a nutrition diet plan for a patient suffering from malnutrition. My experience in the clinic allowed me to witness firsthand the poverty and lack of medical care I have learned about in my Human Development and Family Science courses."

Richard Fletcher

Position: Professor of Greek and Latin

Activity: Fletcher started a new Study Abroad program called Experiencing Rome: Approaches to an Ancient City along with Professor Francesca Tronchin (History of Art).

"With a great group of sixteen dynamic undergrads, we explored every nook and cranny of the Ancient City, not only through its impressive sites and breathtaking museum collections, but also by flights of the imagination and on site historical reconstruction. Awed as they were in the presence of the Pantheon and the Ara Pacis, we challenged the students to also imagine the lost grandeur of the Ancient City rising from its ruins. For example, to envisage the splendor of the Temple of Jupiter Best and Greatest on the Capitoline hill, we asked the students to imagine a ‘Pantheon in the sky’ looming over the Roman Forum. Highlights included a reconstruction of the flamboyant ritual of the Roman Triumph (our triumphing General ultimately foiled by the presence of the Pope in the Forum on Good Friday!) and a dramatic reconstruction of the murder of Julius Caesar on the very spot it occurred in the porticoes of Pompey’s Theatre (now a modern theatre). The students relished the rich history of the Eternal City side by side with the modern cultural experiences, including the delicious gelato."

Jason Gloe

Major/Position: Educational Policy & Leadership (grad student)/Graduate Administrative Associate in the Student Wellness Center

Activity: On Alternative Spring Break in Tampa, Florida, Gloe and eight other students volunteered with the Florida Aquatic Preserve, working to restore the natural habitat on several islands that are home to local and migratory birds.

"After identifying areas of natural plants and invasive plants, we received loppers and hand saws to begin removing the Brazilian pepper, which is invasive. Meanwhile, our site coordinator used a chain saw to cut down invasive plants. Some students spent time collecting trash and recycling. When space was cleared, we were able to plant natural species that will contribute to the island habitat in the future. Though there was a lot of hard work, there was an equal amount of fun. We were able to soak up the sun and collect seashells on the beach. We also had an opportunity to spend a night camping out on one of the islands where we all watched the sunset over the water. That night we sat around a campfire telling stories while eating shish kabobs and s'mores. The most exciting activity, by far, was moonlight canoeing in a mangrove river. I can honestly say that this was one of the most memorable spring break experiences of my life!"

Janelle Henderson

Major/Position: Master of Labor and Human Resources in the Fisher College of Business; Graduate Program Coordinator in the College of Veterinary Medicine

Activity: Henderson traveled to Bolivia with a group of MBA students as a part of the Emerging Markets Field Studies course.

"I used to tell people, 'I work in the College of Veterinary Medicine, but I don’t work with animals.' But now, after my trip to Bolivia, that’s no longer true. Because my group would be working with a group of farmers who wanted to increase their milk production, I arranged for Dr. Don Sanders, a local vet and Ohio State faculty member, to take several students on a tour of two Ohio dairy farms before the trip. What we learned was invaluable.We were able to offer Bolivian farmers a few recommendations on how to improve the health of their cattle and better organize their milk production, which would enable them to produce more milk to sell. I'm glad to know that I've been able to help the development of a small village and improve the lives of some individuals.  I can see firsthand how animal health and human health are so closely interrelated, and I'm very grateful that Ohio State gave me the opportunity to integrate my professional work with my graduate studies."

J Jaggers

Major: Communication

Activity: Jaggers, a wrestler, competed in the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships.

"Unlike many students who finish up tough finals and are ready for the pressure to be finally lifted by enjoying a nice spring break on vacation with friends or at home with family, I did the exact opposite. I spent the most pressure-filled spring break of my life at the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships, where I captured the 141-pound NCAA title. It was unlike any week of my life and I would not trade it for any vacation in the world. I spent the week from Tuesday to Sunday morning in St. Louis, Mo., with my teammates, coaches, family and friends all joined together for one cause - Ohio State Wrestling - and we all prevailed as a community, not only with an individual national title but with an NCAA team runner-up finish, which is the best in Ohio State wrestling history."

Julius Mayo

Position: Coordinator of Housing Education, University Housing

Activity: Mayo traveled to London, England, for an Alternative Spring Break focusing on the Multicultural Histories and Legacies of the British capital.

"Working with a professional colleague of mine as well as several faculty here at Ohio State to expose 20 undergraduate students to the rich and exciting history of London continues to be a highlight of my experiences here at OSU. After an in-depth look at issues related to social class, gender, racism, and discrimination both as part of a Service Learning Course, students were challenged to take these lessons across the pond as they met with community leaders and scholars from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds all residing in London. The experience also featured a day long service project at North London Action for the Homeless, cultural tours of the East Asian, Jewish, Muslim, and Caribbean communities in London, as well as opportunities to observe the British Parliament in committees, visit local museums, and work with a local mediation office to discuss how to facilitate cross-cultural dialogues."

Jennifer Nailos

Position: Assistant Hall Director, Morrison Tower

Activity: Nailos organized activities for Morrison Tower students who stayed in the residence hall over spring break.

"Spring break can be very exciting for students as they travel, vacation in the sun, or do community service but what about those students who stay in Columbus with nothing to do? 'No Resident Left Behind' was the motto for Morrison Tower this spring break. Over the vacation residents participated in many different activities and programs. The schedule of programs included a movie night, home-cooked dinner in the building, board games, an all building egg hunt, and trips to the North Market and Short North."

Rhonda Register

Major: Journalism and Art

Activity: Register was one of eight first-year Mount Scholars who spent spring break exploring the state capitols in three states: Ohio, Kentucky, and Illinois. The group toured the capitol buildings and met with state representatives.

"When I joined the Mount Leadership Society this past fall, I never expected that so many great opportunities would be opened to me! For spring break, I had a very unique experience that never would have opened for me elsewhere. My fellow 'Mountees' and I traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky, and Springfield, Illinois, to learn about government at the state level. We met with State Representatives and U.S. Representatives, as well as distinguished Ohio State alumni. We got to do a lot of fun things, too, like a scavenger hunt. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world."

TJ Stewart

Major: Psychology

Activity: Stewart, president of The African American Voices Gospel Choir at Ohio State, traveled with choir members to Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia.

"I spent my spring break doing community service and ministering in The Black Capitals. Our group had the opportunity to work with some senior citizens at Ft. Lincoln in D.C. and Family of God Church in Atlanta. In both cities we were able to see the sights, sounds, and people that made the city great. One memorable moment was when multiple tornadoes went through Atlanta right before we arrived. Everyone was concerned if we would still make it or if we would cancel. We decided to press through. The damage was shocking and the city was still recovering from the severe weather. It put a lot of the reading and service-learning pieces in great perspective."

Katie Whipkey

Major: Psychology

Activity: Whipkey went on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Boston.

"We spent about 40 hours volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank--and that was one incredible experience! We met so many interesting people volunteering from many different walks of life who all had unique stories to share. Hearing from Boston locals at the Food Bank, we got great advice on things to see and do in the city. I know that without the insiders' perspective that we got from spending such a large amount of time with the people we met, we would not have been able to see some of our most memorable sites in Boston. My time at the Food Bank has inspired me to do at least one act of volunteer service on every vacation I go on from now on."

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