CSU Day of Service - Fall 2024

Four female students painting tires in a garden.
From gardening to painting, busloads of Columbus State University volunteers pitched in to help 14 local nonprofit organizations during the university’s 17th annual Day of Service on Saturday, Aug. 24. More than 250 students, aided by faculty and staff, volunteered as part of the event.

“Columbus State University would not exist without the support of this community. A day like today, where we serve our community, is so important,” President Stuart Rayfield said while working alongside Cross Country student-athletes at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. “About half of our students come from outside Columbus, so we want to connect them to our area. One of the best ways to do that is through service.”

One of those student-athletes was sophomore Avery Tyus of Stockbridge, who helped clear the garden’s trails of debris resulting from recent severe weather.

“It really means a lot to get out and help the community; this is important and something we all should do,” Tyus said. “This community helps us so much, so we should give back to it.”

Like Rayfield and Tyus, Student Government Association President Adrian Peterson valued giving back—and learning more about—the university’s host community.

“Our Day of Service is wonderful because we can give back to a community that gives so much to Columbus State,” he said, taking a break from trimming weeds at the Columbus Botanical Gardens. “Many of the opportunities granted to our students come from nonprofits and different organizations in the community,”