Galvin Hall is a familiar presence for both alumni and current students of Ohio State Lima. Thanks to a service-learning class in theatre, Galvin Hall will also be familiar to all the elementary students who visit Lima’s Safety City.
Students in Dan Matthews’ Creation of Outreach Theatre course are developing a not-quite-lifesize model of the campus’ chief academic building and most recognizable façade to be part of Safety City’s permanent collection of buildings. The course combines learning goals, practical skills and community service, which appealed to the students.
“Community service is important for everyone, not only me,” said Bailey Downey, a senior in theatre. “It changes your point of view of the world and shows that you can help and change the world for the better.”
Freshman Korbin Steinbrunner has firsthand knowledge of the safety training that elementary-aged students experience because of Safety City. He took the fire safety and personal safety training seriously, but it was the memories of learning the rules of the road on the Safety City paths that came back at the start of this project.
“The park itself stood as a sort of mock-city. The buildings that lined those streets made the park feel more alive!” said Steinbrunner, a business management major. “When I saw the opportunity to help construct a building to give back to this park, I knew that I had to be a part of the program.”
Students visited the future building site and met with Safety City’s civic sponsor, the Lima Noon Optimist Club. In addition to exploring the goals of the ongoing public/private partnership, the students learned more about the other volunteer projects the group sponsors.
“Getting involved is easier than I expected. All around Lima and surrounding areas are groups and people looking for volunteers to help better the community,” said Allison Dotson, a senior in business management. “Getting involved is a simple, rewarding process that I encourage everyone to explore.”
The idea behind Ohio State’s motto “Education for citizenship” resonates in the service learning courses. The students see the connection between those opportunities and how they will function as part of society when they graduate.
“Higher education is crucial for a well-developed understanding of the world, society, and important issues we face,” Steinbrunner said. “As I am growing up, I am realizing that being an informed citizen is something that is not only personally valuable but crucial for a functioning society.”
