WE
ACHIEVE
Going Green,
Growing Good at TAMIU
The power of green spaces harvested civic engagement
and responsibility this year at TAMIU. For the first time, the
University dedicated an on-campus garden maintained by 147
students enrolled in service-learning courses.
The garden bursted with crops including turnips, beets,
Swiss chard, lettuce, and melons, among others.The harvest
was shared with food banks, incorporated into on-campus
menu offerings, and in student tasting opportunities.
Students agreed there really was something “growing on.”
Shane Luke, freshman Psychology major, said the garden
provided insight into the importance of sustainability.
“I learned about sustainability and how it influences our
daily lives through what we do – and planting/maintaining a
garden created a micro-sustainable cycle within ourselves,” Luke
explained.
TAMIU’s Service-Learning Center (SLC) directed
the garden.The SLC supports the development and
implementation of service-learning courses, providing guidance
and resources on campus.
Dr. Marcela Uribe, SLC director, said the student
experience was fertile in many ways.
“This was a dynamic opportunity for students to truly
‘grow roots’ with their community, strengthen academic
learning, nourish non-profit organizations, cultivate career
experiences, and plant seeds for a community that is more
engaged,” Dr. Uribe smiled.
The garden will continue to grow in coming years,
organizers promised.
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