Plunging Into Life in Ithaca

By Patrick Bohn ’05, August 18, 2022

First-year students take part in the Community Plunge as part of the Jumpstart program.

Students worked with community partners is four locations, including South Hill School and the Coddington Road Community Center.

(Photos by Patrick Bohn and Jennifer Dean)

Ithaca College’s Jumpstart program offers first-year and transfer students a chance to explore the local community, learn about resources on campus, and meet new friends. As part of the program, on August 14 and 15, participants took part in the Community Plunge, where they volunteered at local organizations and built relationships with their fellow students.

This year, Community Plunge volunteers worked at South Hill Elementary School, the Coddington Road Community Center, the Ithaca ReUse Center, and Loaves & Fishes.

At South Hill Elementary School, the students worked in the school’s community garden weeding and building wire frames to keep woodchucks from eating the crops. It was a rewarding experience for all involved.

“I love that we’re helping out an elementary school,” said Sofia Lopez ’26. “My mom taught at mine, and I always used to help her get her classroom ready. This brings back those memories. It’s also a good way to introduce ourselves to the community.”

At South Hill Elementary School, IC students worked to build wire frames to keep animals from ravaging the community garden.

(Photo by Patrick Bohn)

The group at the elementary school was being led by Parker Schug ’23, who also led a cohort as a junior after taking part in the program when she was a first-year student. Having been involved with the program for several years, she knows first-hand the impact it has on students and the community.

“I love that it gives the students a chance to meet classmates and get comfortable with each other,” she said. “I’m still friends with people who were part of it with me in prior years. It’s also a great opportunity to give back. I love getting to know more about the community I’m a part of.”

“This is a great example of the community focus at Ithaca College. We’ve had students here three of the last four years, and not only have they been super helpful, but they’ve also returned later in the year to volunteer and read to the children, or to help at recess. It’s the start of a long-term relationship and they’re cultivating a sense of community with us.”

Perry Gorgen, Principal of South Hill Elementary

Students have been going to the elementary school as part of the Community Plunge for several years, and principal Perry Gorgen, loves the relationship that’s developed between the two schools.

“This is a great example of the community focus at Ithaca College,” he said. “We’ve had students here 3 of the last 4 years, and not only have they been super helpful, but they’ve also returned later in the year to volunteer and read to the children, or to help at recess. It’s the start of a long-term relationship and they’re cultivating a sense of community with us.”

Students at the Coddington Road Community Center worked throughout the day washing, mulching, and clearing brush.

(Photo by Jennifer Dean)

Just up the hill from the IC campus, at the Coddington Road Community Center, students were helping to mulch the playground, trim back brush along trails, and wash the outside of buildings.

The work allowed Kendal Bruno ’26 a chance to indulge his passion for community service.

“I believe when you invest in the community, you invest in yourself. I want to continue that here in Ithaca, because I am going to be living in the community. I like knowing I’m making a change, and it’s a great experience to help out with a non-profit organization like this one.”

Kendal Bruno ’26

“I always love being involved with my community, because I believe when you invest in the community, you invest in yourself,” said the Rochester native, who is also a member of the IC football team and an MLK Scholar. “I wanted to continue that here in Ithaca, because I am going to be living in the community. I like knowing I’m making a change, and it’s a great experience to help out with a non-profit organization like this one.”

That feeling went both ways.

“We’ve been a part of the program since at least 10 years,” said Jennifer Dean, youth and community programs manager at Coddinton. “We love partnering with Ithaca College and introducing incoming students to the Ithaca community. It’s so important to get them to foster that connection. Everyone has been really positive, and in good spirits.”

The program is a prime example of the college’s strategic plan initiatives to foster community partnerships and be a private college serving a public good.

“When I talk to community partners, they say they want students to think of themselves as community members and this program gives the students a chance to know those partners,” said David Harker, the director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Ithaca College. “And hopefully it lights a spark to stay involved throughout their time here. It’s a huge benefit to our students and our community. It’s cool to see how the projects evolve.”