Time to branch out and meet the leaders! These folks will be helping out with this years Service Plunge sponsored by the Moreau Center for Service & Leadership. These individuals will be working with the Portland Community and welcoming the newest members of the University of Portland class of 2016!
CO-COORDINATORS
Sommer McWhirter
Major:
Communications (emphasis on Leadership and Global Sustainability) and Social
Work
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown:
Anacortes, WA
Interests:
Soccer, Hiking, swimming and anything outdoors, talking to new people, spending
time with friends, Cooking, Reading,
SERVICE!
Campus
Involvement: Campus Volunteer Coordinator for Portland Homeless Family
Solutions, Participant on the Rural Plunge, 2011 Service Plunge Leader,
Employee for Sports Management, and Intern for Justice.
Favorite
thing about the Service Plunge: I love everything about the Service Plunge! I
have made such good friends both participating and being a leader. The Service
Plunge is the best way to connect with other students while learning about the community
that you will be living in for the next four years.
Marissa Shumaker
Class: Junior
Hometown: Sherwood, OR
Interests: Reading, Painting, Working/Riding on my motorcycle, Volunteering (especially with animals), Watching movies, Hiking, Swimming, Lacrosse, Antiquing, and Going to the beach.
Campus Involvement: Service Plunge Participant (2010), Shipstad Hall Council, RHA Executive Board, Moreau Center Office Assistant, Service Plunge Leader (2011), SIS, Service Plunge Co-Coordinator (2012).
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: The best thing about the Service Plunge is that it is an opportunity. Whether you are a participant, a leader, or a community partner you have the chance to meet a variety of people. A chance to immerse yourself in your community and to do your part to make it a better place. The Service Plunge was my first experience serving and it has impacted my life and college experiences in so many ways. I am very thankful that I get to be involved with the Service Plunge for a third year!
HOSPITALITY COORDINATOR & HOSPITALITY ASSISTANT
Major:
Elementary Education
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: San
Mateo, CA
Interests:
working with children, community service, scrap-booking/card making
Campus
Involvement: Student Ambassador, Co leader for Collegiate
Challenge
Favorite
thing about the Service Plunge: My favorite part of
the service plunge is all the energy and excitement that all the participants
bring with them. It is so cool to see so many new friendships form while we are
all coming together to help out in the community.
Brett Boeh
Major: English and Psychology
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: San
Diego
Interests: Service,
Volleyball, Reading, Writing, Hiking
Campus Involvement: Former
SJC, Volleyball Club, M. Center involvement, Intramural Sports
Favorite thing about the
Service Plunge: Feeling Connected to my community
SMALL GROUP LEADERS
Rebecca Chavez
Major: Social Work and Spanish
Class: Senior
Class: Senior
Hometown: Santa Clara, CA
Interests: Music, FC Barcelona, botany, international travel, social justice and social critiques.
Campus Involvement: Small Group Leader for the Encounter With Christ Retreat, Hall Retreat Leader for Tyson & Haggerty, OATH UP Chapter, Phi Alpha Honor Society, Blue Key Honor Society, Schools4Schools, Guam Club, Praise & Fellowship.
Favorite thing about Service: I love hearing and exchanging stories with people. I also love how direct service makes you aware of a social issue that you may or may not have known about and gives you an interpersonal experience to become connected to the issue.
Rio Marquez-Hammitt
Major: Environmental Ethics and Policy
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Lakewood, WA
Interests: Backpacking, hanging out with friends, spending time outside, catching up on the latest politics.
Campus Involvement: FISH, intramural sports, campus ministry.
Campus Involvement: FISH, intramural sports, campus ministry.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Getting to know people who are just as passionate about serving the community as I am!
Vincent Dato-on
Major: Communications, Social Justice and Spanish Minors
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: Buena Park, California
Interests: Running, Sleeping, Eating, watching the Los Angeles Lakers play, sports, flying and going to Disneyland.
Interests: Running, Sleeping, Eating, watching the Los Angeles Lakers play, sports, flying and going to Disneyland.
Campus Involvement: Air Force ROTC, Border Plunge 2012 Coordinator, Tyson/Haggerty Service and Justice Coordinator, volunteering at Portland Homeless Family Solutions.
Favorite thing about service: I love doing service because it is a constant reminder about our role to help others who are in need.
Emily Eichner
Major: Civil Engineer
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: Lake Stevens
Interests: Crocheting, running, guitar.
Campus Involvement: Fish, Engineers Without Borders, Society of Women Engineers.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge My favorite thing about the service plunge is the variety of types of service we do.
Interests: Crocheting, running, guitar.
Campus Involvement: Fish, Engineers Without Borders, Society of Women Engineers.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge My favorite thing about the service plunge is the variety of types of service we do.
Gilbert Resendez
Major(s): Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management and Finance
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: McKinelyville, CA
Interests: Playing tennis, cooking, running, reading, soccer.
Campus Involvement: ASUP Senator (Student Government), LXG (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), School of Business Student Worker, SJC, Was a Hall Intern for Christie.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting new people, helping others out, teaching/learning about different issues.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting new people, helping others out, teaching/learning about different issues.
Jordan Mattson
Major(s): Social Work & Criminal Justice Majors & Social Justice Minor
Class: Junior
Class: Junior
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Interests: I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, long walks on the beach, a good conversation, and NASCAR!
Campus Involvement: CVC Saint Andre, Public Relations Manager for Black Student Union (BSU), &Intramural referee.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: I love meeting everyone.
Andriana Alexis
Major: Organizational Communication, Minor Psychology
Class: Senior
Class: Senior
Hometown: Auburn, WA
Interests: Dancing, Writing .
Campus Involvement: Black Student Union VP, TOLCS Co-President.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Love getting involved in the community.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Love getting involved in the community.
Brian Carter
Major: Biochemistry Minors in Music and Neuroscience
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Interests: I have a keen interest in bacon, and food in general. I love to play and write all kinds of music, and thoroughly enjoy traveling. Serving my community and learning the stories of others are my passion.
Campus Involvement: Schoenfeldt Hall Service and Justice Coordinator, Alpha Lambda Delta Vice President of Service Projects, Wind Symphony, Brass Quintet, Pep Band, Salzburg Summer Study Abroad, Eucharistic Ministry Greeter, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Club Crew, Blue Key Honor Society, Rural Plunge, Urban Policy Plunge, and Civil Rights Immersion.
Favorite Thing About Service Plunge: My experiences on the Service Plunge were highlighted by the friendships I developed while working to make a difference in the community. By having a large group of serving individuals work toward a common cause, we individuals were able to appreciate each other, learn about each others values, and respect each others interests.
Lauren Ann Bene
Major: Nursing
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Interests: Eating snacks, taking naps, watching Friends, playing inter-mural sports, and traveling.
Campus Involvement: Corrado Service Justice Coordinator, Campus Mass and Pilots After Dark activities.
Favorite thing about Service Plunge: I believe the service plunge is a great way to meet people, build a stronger community, and start off the year on the right foot by giving back to those in need!
Jennifer Rillamas
Major: Psychology/Pre-occupational therapy and Spanish
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Interests: Zumba, working with kids, volleyball.
Campus Involvement: Shipstad Service and Justice Coordinator, Zumba Instructor, Hall Retreat Leader.
Interests: Zumba, working with kids, volleyball.
Campus Involvement: Shipstad Service and Justice Coordinator, Zumba Instructor, Hall Retreat Leader.
Favorite thing about Service Plunge:
Josh Beagle
Major: Business
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Portland, OR
Interests: Love sports, music, and hanging out with friends.
Interests: Love sports, music, and hanging out with friends.
Campus Involvement: Intramural sports, Villa Drum Squad, service opportunities through Villa Maria.
Favorite Thing About the Service Plunge: It's a great way to get a ton of people together who all have the same intention to better the community around them.
Kellie Lewis
Major: Nursing
Class: Senior
Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
Interests: Running, reading, and watching Friends!
Campus Involvement: Leader on Encounter with Christ retreat, Rural Immersion coordinator through the Moreau Center.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Getting to make connections with so many new people.
Class: Senior
Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
Interests: Running, reading, and watching Friends!
Campus Involvement: Leader on Encounter with Christ retreat, Rural Immersion coordinator through the Moreau Center.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Getting to make connections with so many new people.
Melissa Wynne
Major: Biology, Pre-Physical Therapy
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Salinas, California
Interests/Hobbies: I love being outside, hiking, running, swimming, yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Interests/Hobbies: I love being outside, hiking, running, swimming, yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Campus Involvement: Attending Outdoor Pursuits trips, Biology Club, greeter for mass at the Chapel of Christ the Teacher.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting lots of new people and getting to see all the great opportunities for service in Portland.
Kelly Ramzey
Major: Biochemistry/Pre-med
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Jacksonville, Alabama
Interests: Anything and everything related to practicing medicine, finding quaint coffee shops around Portland, babysitting two wonderful kids, weekly "in-dorm" movie nights with friends, gardening, knitting, cooking, laughing, and various artistic pursuits.
Interests: Anything and everything related to practicing medicine, finding quaint coffee shops around Portland, babysitting two wonderful kids, weekly "in-dorm" movie nights with friends, gardening, knitting, cooking, laughing, and various artistic pursuits.
Campus Involvement: Chemistry lab TA, Summer Staff- operations assistant, Service and Justice Coordinator Mehling Hall 2012-2013.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Personally, I feel that service is an opportunity for me to grow and learn more about myself while I'm learning about my community, particularly at risk or disadvantaged populations. My favorite part about service is that for the first time in my life I feel confident that I am where God wants me and I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
Connor Snashall
Major: Marketing
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: La Canada, CA
Interests: Soccer, friends, and faith.
Campus Involvement: Club Soccer.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Knowing I've helped make a difference.
Paul
Auxier
Major: Business OTM (Operations and Technology Management)
Class: Junior
Major: Business OTM (Operations and Technology Management)
Class: Junior
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Interests: Love soccer, legos, and adventures.
Campus Involvement: Villa SJC. Villa Drum Squad. All other Villa shenanigans.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting new faces. Met some of my best buds last year on the plunge.
Interests: Love soccer, legos, and adventures.
Campus Involvement: Villa SJC. Villa Drum Squad. All other Villa shenanigans.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting new faces. Met some of my best buds last year on the plunge.
Jorge Gonzalez
Major: Biology
Class: Senior
Class: Senior
Hometown: Cornelius, OR
Interests: Running, Basketball, Pool Player,
Boxing
Campus Involvement: Service Plunge, Border Plunge, Collegiate Challenge
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting a new group of people and passing on some advice about the transition from high school to college
Yurida Hernandez
Katelyn Griffin
Campus Involvement: Service Plunge, Border Plunge, Collegiate Challenge
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting a new group of people and passing on some advice about the transition from high school to college
Yurida Hernandez
Major: Social Work & Psychology minoring in Spanish
Class: Sophomore
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Coos Bay, OR
Interests: Playing soccer & being outdoors
Campus Involvement: President of M.E.Ch.a, member of OATH, GSP,
OALE, Schools for Schools.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting people with same interests and ultimately helping out.
Favorite thing about the Service Plunge: Meeting people with same interests and ultimately helping out.
Hilary White
Major: Organizational
Communications
Class:
Senior
Hometown: Bothell, WA
Interests:
Hanging
out with friends and hot yoga!
Campus
Involvement:
Habitat for Humanity President and TOLCS (Teaching our Leaders Civil Discourse
and Service) publicity co-coordinator
Favorite
thing about the Service Plunge: The best part of the service plunge is
making new friends before the year begins!
Katelyn Griffin
Major: Elementary Education
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Interests: Dance, drawing, crafts, wake boarding, and shopping.
Campus
Involvement: Kenna Service and Justice Coordinator, Chair of Relay for Life
Favorite
thing about the Service Plunge: Giving back to the community that has given me so much.
