Incoming students and their student leaders contributed nearly 2,000 hours of community service during the Griffon Edge orientation program at Missouri Western State University. The students also contributed more than $1,400 to the United Way through a penny drive over the three days.

“One of Missouri Western’s core values is service,” said Kristen Neeley ’05, assistant director of new student programs in the Office of Admissions. “The Griffon Edge Day of Service is our way of introducing new students to that value and providing them with a valuable learning experience while helping to make St. Joseph a better place to live.”

Griffon Edge is an optional three-day orientation program offered to incoming freshmen and transfer students. About 875 students participated this year. They and their 82 student leaders volunteered for two hours each on either Friday or Saturday, Aug. 22 or 23. They volunteered at more than two dozen sites around the community.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.