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<\/p>\nSCRANTON \u2014 Evan Becker has always been an active volunteer, helping out with vacation Bible school and fish fries at home in Lancaster. Now he looks for ways to continue to help while studying at the University of Scranton.<\/p>\n
The university\u2019s yearly Volunteer and Service Fair on Tuesday provided him the perfect opportunity to find such opportunities. Becker, a freshman studying business, was one of dozens of students who turned out for the yearly fair in the McIlhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center.\n<\/p>\n
Students had the opportunity to talk to and learn about more than 90 participating community organizations and nonprofits throughout Northeast Pennsylvania that represent causes including hunger and food insecurity, veterans\u2019 services, healthcare, children and families, education, the arts, environmental initiatives, older adult services and community development. It is organized by the university\u2019s Center for Service and Social Justice.\n<\/p>\n
Becker and fellow freshman Vlad Vongetzie from Hershey, who is studying biology, came to the fair not only to find volunteer opportunities to fulfill university service requirements, but for their own good.<\/p>\n
\u201cA part of why I came here is I definitely wanna do more service,\u201d Vongetzie said. \u201cWe are required the 20 hours, but before I knew that, I still wanted to come here and do service, and very obviously, this is the place to go for that, to find those opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
They were amazed at how many organizations had tables at the event and were pleased so many of their fellow students attended.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was very nice to see,\u201d said Becker, who signed up to volunteer for three organizations within the first few minutes of arriving.<\/p>\n
Leah Tracey of Parsippany, New Jersey, who is studying occupational therapy, saw the fair as an opportunity for her and her fellow freshmen to find opportunities on campus and in the surrounding community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our first year here so we wanna get as involved as possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
It also helps them find new interests and to get in hours for professional development for their majors.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to look for ways to get involved for your \u2026 major,\u201d said Maddy DiPillo, a freshman from Riverdale, New Jersey, also studying occupational therapy.<\/p>\n
Organizers expected more than 700 students to attend.<\/p>\n
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Marywood University Afterschool Curriculum Coordinator Kevin Amaya, left, talks with student Gavin Lohnes during the University of Scranton Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on university\u2019s campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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Students receive information from various organizations during the Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on the University of Scranton campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n
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Marywood University Afterschool Curriculum Coordinator Kevin Amaya, left, talks with student Gavin Lohnes during the University of Scranton Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on university\u2019s campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG \/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n