BVU to Participate in Give Back Iowa Challenge

STORM LAKE, IA (04/02/2018) (readMedia)-- For the second year in a row, Buena Vista University (BVU) has announced its participation in the Give Back Iowa Challenge – an eight-week service competition running from April 1 through May 31, 2018.

The challenge was created by Volunteer Iowa in 2015 to encourage employee to engage in community volunteering, both during and outside of the workday.

"As a commissioner on the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, it's exciting to see places like BVU be a part of the challenge," said Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant dean for student life and director of civic engagement.

According to Volunteer Iowa, research shows that employees who volunteer experience greater engagement, organizational commitment, and greater job satisfaction.

Farmer-Hanson added, "A lot of research supports the impact of workplace volunteering and community engagement. Education for Service is our motto and this is yet another way we are living that out."

To date, more than 30 employers from across the state are registered to participate in the challenge. There is no cost to register or participate. Employers with the highest average number of volunteer hours logged per employee will be recognized with a visit from the governor or lieutenant governor to their workplace.

Last year, the Give Back Iowa Challenge had 56 participating organizations, representing over 56,000 employees in Iowa, who logged over 59,000 volunteer hours. Farmer-Hanson estimates BVU logged nearly 5,000 hours of volunteer service in 2017 as part of the challenge.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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