Hundreds of Union University volunteers canceled most classes on Tuesday to fan out across Jackson and West Tennessee for their 24th annual day of service, taking on more than 30 community projects following a morning rally at the campus Tornado Memorial.
Most regular instruction ground to a halt as students, faculty, and staff deployed to local schools, churches, nursing homes, and community nonprofits. The university’s 24th annual Campus and Community: A Day of Remembrance and Service
mobilizes hundreds of participants for hands-on labor across Jackson and West Tennessee.
Cypress Grove Cleanup and Regional Inter-Faith Association Projects
Teams tackled beautification work at Cypress Grove Nature Park, where student volunteers collected trash that ends up there from car windows on the highway.
Beyond the nature park, volunteers split across multiple sites to support local welfare and charitable organizations. Crews stocked shelves and served meals at the Regional Inter-Faith Association while others organized donations for the Jackson-Madison County Foster Association.
Campus Tornado Memorial Rally Honors Historic Community Support
Union used the morning gathering at the campus Tornado Memorial on Tuesday to express its gratitude to the public for aiding the institution following twisters in 2002, 2003 and 2008.
Nine Employees Earn Chancellor's Distinguished Service Awards
Meanwhile, in separate institutional recognition, nine University of Pittsburgh employees have earned 2026 Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Awards for Staff. These annual accolades recognize staff members whose work demonstrates exceptional dedication to the university community and reflects Pitt’s spirit of possibility. Recipients across categories recognizing innovation, mentorship, student impact, research support, community engagement, and outstanding career achievement each receive a $2,500 prize and will be recognized at a Nov. 20 reception.
Scott Szypulski, a research administrator in the School of Public Health, earned the university engagement award recognizing exemplary participation in volunteer activities within Pitt. Leadership of Pitt Day at Kennywood since 2017 earned Szypulski the accolade, having expanded the occasion into the largest yearly gathering for Staff Council with an annual participation of 2,000 people. Szypulski has brought this community spirit to Pitt-Greensburg by taking paid time off for six Habitat for Humanity excursions to guide students and by establishing the initiative's first program for graduates.