Indianapolis, Indiana – The University of Indianapolis is preparing to launch its second annual Service for Impact Day, a Welcome Week tradition that turns the excitement of a new semester into a community-wide effort to give back. On Saturday, August 23, more than 200 students, faculty, and staff members are expected to roll up their sleeves and spend part of their first weekend together helping local nonprofit organizations.
The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will include service projects supporting well-known Indianapolis groups such as Horizon House, Damien Center, Boys & Girls Club, and Pink Ribbon Connection. The work will be followed by a celebratory gathering on campus, where volunteers will return after their projects to reflect on the experience and enjoy a sense of community.
Organizers say Service for Impact Day is more than just a one-time volunteer outing. It is designed to connect students—especially the hundreds of new freshmen who arrived on campus earlier in the week—to the university’s broader mission and to the neighborhoods around them. For UIndy, the motto “Education for Service” is not simply a phrase; it is a philosophy that drives how students are introduced to college life.
“One of the hallmarks of Gen Z is a sense of purpose and a motivation to contribute to a cause that is bigger than themselves—and that is what Service for Impact Day is all about,” said Marianna Foulkrod, the director of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement at the University of Indianapolis. “Whether assembling snack kits or creating mats for the homeless in Central Indiana or writing meaningful messages filled with words of affirmation to those struggling with a mental health crisis, we want our first-year Greyhound students to understand the importance of service learning to their collegiate experience.”
The day will begin with a short presentation inside the Schwitzer Student Center, where Vice President and Chief of Staff Andy Kocher and other invited guests will share opening remarks. Afterward, participants will split into smaller groups and head to designated spaces across campus. Many of the projects are scheduled to take place within Schwitzer itself, allowing students to get to work in familiar settings before they venture deeper into the community later in the year.
By early afternoon, everyone will gather again in UIndy Hall inside Schwitzer to close the event. The celebratory portion will include food, social activities, and a chance for students to share what they learned during the morning of service. For the university, creating moments of reflection is just as important as the projects themselves, as they help connect classroom learning with real-world action.
“Service for Impact Day reflects UIndy’s deep commitment to our community,” said Kocher, who also serves as Vice President of Corporate and Community Partnerships. “Our students join our faculty, staff, and neighbors in meaningful service, reminding us that education is not only about personal success but also about service and collective responsibility. Together, we are strengthening the bonds that make our city thrive.”
For the nonprofit organizations involved, the event represents an infusion of energy and support at a time when demand for services remains high. Horizon House, Damien Center, Boys & Girls Club, and Pink Ribbon Connection each provide essential resources to Indianapolis residents, ranging from housing and healthcare assistance to mentorship and cancer support. Even small tasks like assembling kits or preparing materials can ease the burden on nonprofit staff and allow them to focus more of their energy on clients.
University leaders also hope the event sparks a longer-term commitment to service. By connecting students with organizations early in their college journey, they aim to foster relationships that last beyond one Saturday in August. Many students who first volunteer during Service for Impact Day go on to complete internships, join student-led service groups, or continue volunteering with the same nonprofits throughout their four years at UIndy.
The inclusion of the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office in this year’s event underscores the citywide importance of the program. Local officials have emphasized that universities play a critical role in shaping civic engagement and strengthening neighborhood partnerships. By dedicating Welcome Week to service, UIndy sends a clear message that its students are part of a larger community from the moment they step on campus.
For first-year Greyhounds, the event may serve as their earliest memory of what it means to be a UIndy student. Instead of simply moving into dorms and attending orientation sessions, they are asked to take part in something that benefits others. University staff believe this sets the tone for the rest of their academic careers, showing that service is not an optional add-on but a central part of the UIndy experience.
Service for Impact Day may only span three hours, but organizers insist its influence stretches far longer. From building mats for the homeless to offering encouragement to those struggling with mental health, the projects reflect a broad vision of service—one that blends compassion with action. And for the new class of Greyhounds just starting their journey, the event is an invitation to see themselves not just as students but as citizens of Indianapolis with the power to make a difference.
