Buchanan chosen as Volunteer of the Month

RELEASED: Nov. 16, 2006

DANVILLE, KY—Eddie Buchanan, a sophomore from Greenville, Ky., has been selected as Volunteer of the Month for October. Buchanan was chosen for his work as a coordinator for the Jennie Rogers Elementary After-School Program.

In the program, Centre students spend time going over homework with the students, having snacks and enjoying some fun and games—not only at Jennie Rogers, but at several area elementary schools.

"Eddie is seen as a strong authority figure by the kids in the after-school program, as the guy who calms things down before they get out of hand," said Patrick Noltemeyer, director of volunteer services at Centre. "Now in his second year with the program, Eddie has taken on a supervisory role, working with four or five other Centre students to make the program successful."

Buchanan says his work in the after-school program is very fulfilling.

"I enjoy being able to help the children with their homework and provide a constructive environment for them after school," he says. "I thought I'd try it for a week or so and see how it worked out. A year-and-a-half later I'm still there and very much enjoying my work."

Buchanan has a group of about six students on a daily basis in his homework class that he helps to make sure their assignments are completed and correct.

"It's interesting to see the progression of their abilities even at such a young age and to realize how quickly their abilities grow," he says.

"We're thrilled to have Eddie work here at Jennie Rogers," said Liana Pippen, after-school program coordinator at the elementary school. "I've become very dependent on him as he is extremely dependable and mature.

"Eddie has the patience of Job. For an hour a day, Eddie helps his class of second-and third-graders with their homework. He's able to sit and focus on helping one child at a time, a task that many of the parents may not get a chance to do in the busy evening. He's learned to place high expectations on the students and command their respect. Most of all the children appreciate his dedication to spending time with them. Eddie has been an essential part of our program."

But Buchanan's commitment to service doesn't end with the after-school program.

"Eddie has been a strong member of the Bonner Program in his first two years at Centre," Noltemeyer said. "He spent the summer after his freshman year working with senior citizens in his hometown of Greenville and accompanied other Bonners on a service trip to Caretta, W.Va."

A highly competitive program, Bonner Leaders receive scholarships from the Bonner Foundation in return for a commitment to a certain number of community service hours for each year they are in college.

Buchanan has his sights set on a career in medicine and plans to major in chemistry. He hopes to study abroad in either Centre's exchange program in Reading, England or the residential program Centre-in-London.

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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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