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Show no. y i ' ) r-- , '': h ' by Dawn C. Zimmtr coeds at Stephens College make religion and community service a vital part of campus life. The Dr. Harry Philpoff, former dean . of religious life at Stephens College, leads discussion with group of students who take part in community service projects. M ore student styled her hair, applied her and helped refurbish her 1,500 at Stephens College in Last wardrobe. Columbia, Mo., are volunteers year, for the first time, were to an event invited on 14 community service projects. Inpatients from the hospital when 70 came stead of confining religion to Sundays, to the girls at this women's junior.college campus for a Christmas party. "It's like a light turned on when the are extending it to the other six days, girls walk into the ward," says Mrs. learning the joy of giving to others. Hook of the county rest-hoThat date after class may be postproject. The residents awaken from their poned while Susie (nickname for all to talk with the girls, so resiapathy, eager Stephens students) visits aged dents of the county rest home or reads pleased because they're not forgotten! Girls who visit children at the state to the children at a community nurschool for the deaf speak of the "hapsery. She may forgo the enjoyment of Saturday afternoon football to work py silence" that prevails. A touch, a at the state mental hospital. She is smile, an attitude convey as much learning that "charity is not a basket happiness as does the noisy chatter, of fruit tied with a red ribbon, but shouting, and laughter when normal showing up when you. promised you children play. A student's reward for, would," says Mrs. Patricia Hook, diworking on this project? Perhaps it's the child who runs up to her when she rector of the projects. The' community service projects are arrives for a visit, spelling out her name in sign language, or the ecstatic one phase of Burrall, the nondenom-ination- al look- on his face when she takes the Stereligious program at trouble to learn to "talk" with him. phens. Instructions and discussions are One of the most popular projects is the other two. Basic to Stephens' philosophy is the belief that religion is orphan adoption. At Christmas, Misthe foundation upon which a successsouri orphans are "adopted" by students who send each the gift of his ful life must be built. The college places as much emphasis on religion choice. Last year 1,500 gifts went to 538 orphans. as it does on the sciences, arts, history, All these Burrall projects are an personal appearance, or social abilities. The Burrall Program was founded application of what students learn in 1921 by Mrs. Jessie Burrall Euthrough the instruction and discussion phases. The Sunday morning Burrall bank, first director of religious activities at Stephens. She proposed to Class is a nondenominational program make religion a seven-da- y experience which has been the largest Sunday School in the world. The program through worship and service. ' Today her program is flourishing consists of music, and a talk by the and expanding. New projects are add- - dean of religious life or an outside j ed and from them spring many inciguest speaker. How has the Burrall program afdental activities the little boy who"' fected .Stephens students? Many wanted to play a ukulele but couldn't afford lessons (two girls taught him); alumnae attribute their present interest, in community service to their the bedridden mother whose basement stu-; training in Burrall activities. A stuapartment needed cleaning (two dent director of the projects said,t dents; did the work).: A patient at the mental hospital "When I came to college I planned to has called volunteer workers such as major in fashion. , Now I want to go ' the Susies "the people who still beinto social work." lieve we are individualswho teach us For the student inclined to take a to lift our heads again and walk with vacation from religion while in colbur faces toward a new sunrise." The lege, or the student who thinks religion is something a minister talks patient, who was soon to be disof courlittle the about a received on Sunday, Burrall often opens charged, age needed to face the world when a up a whole new way of life! i than l.uw students out of make-u- p, a-w- - If lm V V It ' I J f t VI me 'V'li;'A An aged resident of the county rest home is quite proud of some of her needlework as she shows it off to two students who have come fresh ideas. to visit her. The girls bring materials and give W an . -- I : y ri " - -- - A student project worker at the state school for the deaf masters a new word in sign language while another little friend seems intrigued with the problem of fastening a chain clasp about her neck. 10 Family Weekly,' September 28, 1958 ay |