The Clock is Ticking as SLU Launches 200-Years-in-One-Challenge
11/14/2017
Students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered at Grand and Lindell to celebrate the entry of the first service hours kicking off the University’s bicentennial clock.
Saint Louis University marked the start of the 200-Years-in-One Challenge with the official unveiling of SLU’s bicentennial clock Tuesday.
Members of the SLU community are participating in a year-long commitment to serving others via a special app. During the 200-Years-In-One Challenge, this free app will track service hours spent volunteering, mentoring and improving the community. It will archive service projects, upload project photos and power the 200-Year Clock on campus. The goal is 1,753,176 hours – in one year.
The University is also inviting members of the entire St. Louis community to participate by adding their service hours to the clock with the app.
Daniel Carter, president of the Student Government Association, shared the importance of not just looking back but giving back.
“I think I speak for all SLU students when I say that it is so very fitting that we celebrate this major anniversary with a community service effort,” Carter said. “SLU students have a passion for service and this clock will proclaim to everyone just how committed we are to helping others.”
Anne Perry, who earned her master’s in nursing at SLU in 1976 and serves on the National Alumni Board, shared her enthusiasm and challenged fellow graduates to embrace the challenge.
“No matter when we graduated or what we went on to do with our lives, we were all transformed by this great institution and learned that we are called to make a difference,” Perry said. “At SLU, we were prepared not only for lives of success but also for lives of significance. That’s why I believe all alumni will rise to this challenge and volunteer to serve others in their communities.”
As the program neared its close, President Fred Pestello, Ph.D., shared his thoughts on four key elements at the heart of Saint Louis University: the discovery of knowledge; the transmission of knowledge; the application of knowledge, particularly in patient care; and service. However, he said it goes far beyond that.
“It’s about being men and women for and with others,” Pestello said. “It’s about improvement in the communities where we serve,” Pestello said. “Let’s make history together.”
Emily Corey, president of SLU’s Campus Kitchen and a junior in SLU’s College of Public Health and Social Justice, made history as the first person to enter service hours via the official SLU 200 Years in One app and set the clock in motion to monitor hours until November 2018.
Participants anywhere can download the app --SLU 200 Years in One App -- to track and submit service hours. In addition, those who wish to participate can also submit volunteer hours online at slu.edu/200years. The webpage features a video about the project as well as FAQs.
The clock is located on the southeast corner of Grand and Lindell Boulevards across from St. Francis Xavier College Church and will tick until Nov. 14, 2018.
Learn more about the 200-Years-in-One Challenge
View the 200-years-in-One-Challenge video
Saint Louis University is a world-class Catholic, Jesuit institution educating nearly 13,000 students on two dynamic, urban campuses - in St. Louis, Missouri, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818, the University will soon celebrate its bicentennial.
With a legacy of innovative academics and research, compassionate health care and faithful service, Saint Louis University attracts a diverse community of scholars who push intellectual boundaries in pursuit of creative, meaningful ways to impact the world, striving to serve a higher purpose and seek a greater good.