SPARC (Service Philanthropy Activism Rollins College)

On Saturday, August 21, more than 600 incoming first-year and transfer Rollins students, faculty, peer mentors and staff volunteers put Rollins' mission into action by participating in community engagement projects across Central Florida as part of SPARC, a component of Rollins’ fall orientation.

SPARC (Service Philanthropy Activism Rollins College) was created in 2006 to introduce Rollins’ newest students to the Central Florida community in a day of learning, community service and activism by partnering students with community agencies across Central Florida.  This year, students took part in 21 projects including landscaping, taking a toxic tour of Lake Apopka and introducing senior citizens to the latest technology, and produced more 2,500 hours of community service.

Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Joe Siry’s class, Our Imperiled Planet, took a toxic tour of Lake Apopka as part of SPARC.  “Rollins never ceases to amaze and impress me,” said Jeannie Economos, pesticide safety and environmental health project coordinator with the Farmworker Association of Florida.  “We are grateful that Rollins is giving students these opportunities and exposure to social justice issues and the importance of engaging in the community.”

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