TSU students work for Habitat for Humanity in Alabama over spring break.

A group of Tri-State University students joined more than 11,500 fellow spring breakers from across the country to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s “Collegiate Challenge.” The TSU group traveled to Brewton, Ala., March 4-11 to help their local Habitat chapter with building projects in an impoverished area. In all, the group worked to complete a new house and storage shed, renovate an older house, and build some small buildings for the collection of aluminum cans as a fundraiser for the Habitat affiliate in Alabama.

This was the third annual Habitat for Humanity Spring Break trip for TSU students. Two years ago the group traveled to Jackson, Tenn., and last year to Brunswick, Ga. Students organized fundraisers to cover their own expenses. TSU provided a van for transportation, and a local church provided housing.

According to the students’ advisor, Dr. Scott Kiefer of TSU’s Wade Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, the students have also provided local support. “Our student chapter of Habitat for Humanity is not large enough to construct our own house, but in the past we have provided support and volunteers for building projects with the Steuben and LaGrange county chapters of Habitat,” Kiefer said. “We also have provided volunteers to help out with tornado damage in Ohio, shore conservation at Lake Gage and remodeling at Cahoots and the Psi Iota Xi Bargain Corner in Angola. We have a dedicated group of students who are doing their part to make a difference in the world they live in.”

Trip advisors were Tim Hopp of the TSU English Department and TSU alumnus Larry Keeler. Students participating in the trip were Michelle Langford, Jordan Casselberry-Scott, Paige Quear, Clayton Bennett, Sam Keeling, Courtney Allen, David Hellen, and Larry Cuba.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in Americus, Ga., in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.