by Brianna Coffey, Student Public Relations Writer
In a time in which travel is limited, Cedarville University students will be serving the nations who have come to the States this summer.
From May 2-9, Dr. Thad Franz, vice-chair of experiential programs at Cedarville, and N.D. Nguyen, a first-year graduate student in pharmacy, will lead a team of students to serve the refugee community in Clarkston, Georgia.
Clarkston has become home to thousands of refugees from more than 40 nations who speak more than 60 languages.
“Clarkston is the most diverse square mile in America,” said Franz. “I am amazed at how the Lord brings the nations to us when we cannot go to them.”
The team is mostly made up of students in health care or education majors. Healthcare-related students will serve with Ethnos medical clinic and other local clinics, assisting nurses and physicians with patient check-ups, organizing drug storage, dispensing medication, providing health screenings, administering COVID-19 vaccines, and performing other related tasks.
Students from the school of education will work at a local elementary school, serving as teaching assistants, helping with after-school programs, tutoring, and cleaning, which is especially important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The students have the opportunity to impact people from different backgrounds, which often leads to Gospel conversations,” said Nguyen.
“My goal for the students as health care professionals is to be able to meet a need in unconventional ways,” said Franz. “Some of these factors are due to the lack of resources in underserved areas, cultural differences, or sustained medical services. Ultimately, we want to serve in a way that shares Christ’s love in tangible ways.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Pharmacy programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.