RELEASED: Oct. 20, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—For many of us, spending five and a half months hiking nearly 2,200 miles along the Appalachian Trail would be enough adventure to last a lifetime.  Not so for October's Volunteer of the Month, junior Mark Mallman, who returned from his epic journey with energy to spare and a new sense of purpose.

Mallman, of Franklin, Tenn., has revamped and revitalized the Centre Outdoors Club by combining his dual passions for outdoor activities and service. The expanded reach of the organization, now known as Centre Outdoor Recreation and Service (CORS), includes not only the enjoyment of nature, but its care as well.

"Mark has led several CORS trips so far this fall, including one to Burnamwood Camp to repair clogged hiking trails and another to work at the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge clearing away invasive shrubbery," says Patrick Noltemeyer, director of volunteer services.

But outdoorsman Mallman doesn't see the time and energy devoted to the club as a sacrifice. "Any opportunity for me to invest in spending a few hours with a shovel and a group of friends is a joy for me."

Mallman has also recently become a Big Brother through the Big Brother Big Sister program, and has also joined the staff of BBBS as an intern.

While hiking the Appalachian Trail took Mallman more than five months, it was perhaps the beginning of an even longer journey. 

"Part of what [hiking the trail] did for me is allow me to learn more about myself.  How I want to spend my life.  So now the things I'm involved in like BBBS and CORS are very purposeful for where I want to head."

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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