Gray Skies Don’t Deter Beavers on Buenafication Day
Indoor efforts highlight 2024 day of service at Buena Vista University
Rainy skies dictated a bit of a pivot as Buena Vista University faculty, staff, students, and alumni celebrated Buenafication Day on April 18. With showers forecast through the morning hours, on-campus activities moved indoors as students packed meals, assembled children’s activity kits, tied blankets, rolled bandages, wrote birthday cards and letters of love, cleaned and organized interior spaces, and more.
Other students visited residents of nearby Methodist Manor and Otsego Place. Some packaged meals at St. Mary’s Catholic School. There were volunteer projects at The Bridge, United Community Health Center, Buena Vista County Historical Society, Storm Lake Elementary School, Storm Lake Middle School, and BVU Lake Creek. The aim of the day was to serve others, just as Beavers have been doing since the inception of this rite, founded as Hobo Days in 1913.
“We had to adjust because of the weather, but that’s OK, we still had hundreds of eager and willing volunteers who pitched in to help serve others,” said Sami (Hall) Kay ’13 MA ’20, BVU Director of Community & Student Engagement.
“Education for Service is us taking what we learn here and using it to the best of our abilities to make a difference, to better what’s around us, to serve others, and to build stronger communities.”
-Hope Evans, BVU Student Senate President
Student Senate President Hope Evans greeted first-year students among the student body which assembled in Siebens Fieldhouse for an opening ceremony. “For those of you whom this is the first time participating, soak it all in. It’s a beloved tradition for a reason,” Evans said. “And while I am a senior, this will certainly not be my last Buenafication Day.”
By 1 p.m., Kay counted 370 volunteers who had served in some sort of service effort on campus or within the community. More than 30 other Beavers would roll up their sleeves later in the afternoon, capping off a memorable celebration that started with Kay leading a band of staff members as they moved through the dormitories ringing bells to awaken students from their spring slumber, a nod to the traditional banging of pots and pans.
“Beavers build and Beavers serve,” said President Brian Lenzmeier, who dug in for his 21st Buenafication Day observance. “It’s who we are, and collectively we are building better lives and stronger communities.”
“Education for Service is us taking what we learn here and using it to the best of our abilities to make a difference, to better what’s around us, to serve others, and to build stronger communities,” said Evans, a senior psychology major from Ankeny.
At the conclusion of Buenafication Day, students participated in activities held within Siebens Forum as dozens of Buena Vista University alumni and friends made plans to take part in Buenafication Day regional service efforts in Des Moines, Omaha, and Minneapolis on Saturday, April 20.