Austin College hosts the ’Roo Bound program Saturday, February 22, where children in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to “Spring Into Safety.”
The Sherman Fire Department will bring emergency vehicles to campus and Austin College Police Chief Kelle Kennemer will teach a program on individual safety for school-age children. The program is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; participants will have free lunch in the Austin College dining hall in Wright Campus Center courtesy of the Service Station and Aramark Food Service.
Advance registration is requested so that sufficient volunteers and materials will be available. To register or for more information, contact the Austin College Service Station at 903.813.2333 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays or email the Service Station. To register by email, include the child’s name and grade level, along with the parents’ phone number. The Austin College Service Station is a student-run organization that connects Austin College students with local agencies and groups needing volunteers.
In addition to the special learning opportunity for children, ’Roo Bound, coordinated by the Austin College Service Station but involving many students across campus, is designed to expose children to the idea of college in a safe, fun environment. The organizers hope that the program makes college attendance seem accessible to children, particularly those who might be the first in their families to consider college. Other spring events are scheduled for March 8 and April 18.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with 46 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.