Released: Oct. 8, 1999

Centre honors senior for work with children

DANVILLE, KY-Brian Briscoe, a Centre College senior from Corbin, has been named October Volunteer of the Month by the college.

Briscoe was selected for his on-going participation in the Big Brothers program and also for his work last summer with students in the Boyle County RISE (Reading Improves Self Esteem) program.

He has been a "big brother" to Eric, 10, of Danville, for a year. The two spend a couple of hours a week together, generally on Sunday afternoons, playing soccer, fishing, and taking short trips to such places as a wildlife sanctuary or the zoo.

"I wanted to do [a volunteer project] regularly, and this is so much fun," says Briscoe. "Eric is a great kid, a really smart kid. I look forward to seeing him every week."

Briscoe adds, "It is so easy for people to get involved in the Big Brother program. They do a good job of matching big brothers and little brothers. And anyone has a couple of hours a week. It doesn't take very much time, but it is so rewarding."

Last summer, Briscoe worked with the RISE program, an enrichment program that, he says, "helps keep kids on track in school." In addition to reading, the children participated in crafts, games, and other summer camp activities. "A little bit of praise, a little bit of encouragement, made such a difference to these kids," Briscoe says.

A history major who hopes to go to medical school next year, Briscoe is also active with the Centre chapter of Habitat for Humanity, serving as treasurer his sophomore year. He is a dean's list student and received the Frank Heck Prize for the outstanding history paper written during the freshman year.

Centre sponsors Volunteer of the Month awards as a way of honoring the many students who donate their time in the community surrounding the college. Each year, approximately 50 percent of all Centre students participate in some form of volunteer work. Their efforts include tutoring elementary students, organizing blood drives, and working at the humane society.

The son of Marsha and William Briscoe, Brian Briscoe is a 1996 graduate of Corbin High School.

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Story by Diane Fisher Johnson, Centre communications office.

Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422

Coordinator of Public Information: Patsi Barnes Trollinger
Telephone 606-238-5719 · trllngrp@centre.edu