Moncton – Crandall University is launching a new program to encourage and empower student volunteerism.

Starting this fall, students attending Crandall University will be able to take part in an all new volunteer program. Its primary aim is to connect students with service opportunities both on and off campus, but it is more than that; it is gearing up to become a key feature in a more holistic university experience.

Mobilizing students to serve

Called CU Serves, this new program focuses primarily on undergraduate students, but anyone on campus can participate. At its core, CU Serves is about connecting students with opportunities to serve, whether that be participating in on-campus programs like peer tutoring or chapel, or volunteering with local organizations, churches, and other community programs.

There will also be regular events on and off campus, as well as opportunities to take part in cross-cultural mission and humanitarian experiences.

Why volunteer?

Beyond the benefit to communities and organizations that depend on volunteers to operate, volunteering has real benefits to a person’s wellbeing, which is what makes it invaluable as a part of an emerging adult’s education and development. “At Crandall University, we are committed to a holistic education for our students, which is why I am thrilled about the rollout of CU Serves!” said Dale Stairs, Senior Director of Student Life and Transformation. “We see it as a whole new way to get students excited about volunteering, especially as many Crandall students are already key volunteers in churches, ministries and other non-profit organizations in the region.”

In addition, volunteering has been a key feature of the Crandall experience since the beginning, more than 70 years ago: “Volunteerism is a highly valued component of the culture here at Crandall,” said Jon Ohlhauser, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We have always included volunteering in the community as part of our programs, and I believe CU Serves honours that heritage while engaging students in a new way and empowering them through new opportunities.”

Students who take part will also have the opportunity to receive recognition for their efforts. By logging their volunteer activities with the Student Life and Transformation office, students are able to build a Co-Curricular Record, which can be incredibly helpful when pursuing careers after university. Moreover, students with a lot of volunteer experience and who maintain consistent grades may earn additional recognition in the form of Crandall Citizenship Awards, also being established as part of CU Serves.

CU Serves leadership

Rev. Tim Carruthers, Crandall’s incoming Manager of CU Serves and Undergraduate Student Life

At the helm of CU Serves will be Rev. Tim Carruthers, who is joining the Student Life and Transformation team as the Manager of CU Serves and Undergraduate Student Life. A Crandall alum (Class of 2009), Tim also holds a MDiv from Acadia and has focused his career on engaging and coordinating emerging adults in service opportunities, both in his previous role as Operations Director at Green Hill Lake Camp, where he managed teams of staff and volunteers (including countless past, present and future Crandall students), and in leadership roles at youth- and young adult-focused events with the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and other organizations.

“I am elated to welcome Tim Carruthers to the Crandall Team as Manager of CU Serves and Undergraduate Student Life and Transformation,” said Dale Stairs. “Tim brings a wealth of experience working with young adults in a camp setting, and is a perfect fit to run the CU Serves program and to strengthen the Crandall experience for our undergrad students.”

Sharing his thoughts on his involvement in this new initiative, Tim said, “I am very excited to be joining the CU family to serve in this way! I’ve long believed that Crandall has been exemplary in so many ways, and I cannot wait to help build connections within the CU family and the community. This will allow us to continue to showcase not just the academic excellence that Crandall has long prided itself on, but the heart that makes the university such a unique offering in a world that needs it more than ever before.”

Tim will be starting at Crandall this summer, and CU Serves launches in September 2021.

Crandall University is Atlantic Canada’s leading Liberal Arts University rooted in the Christian Faith, with undergraduate programs in Arts, Science, Business Administration, and Education, and graduate programs in Education and Management. To learn more, visit crandallu.ca or call 1‑888-968-6228.