Glenn '05 devotes time to service

At 7:30 in the morning, the University is quiet — except for the ambitious runner or student who wants breakfast before an 8:30 class.

But Katy Glenn '05 is already up. By 7:30, she's leaving campus and heading to Trenton to work with poor preschool students at Mt. Carmel Guild.

"I'm used to it by now," she said of her early mornings. "I've been doing it for a while."

Two mornings a week, Glenn helps the preschoolers with arts and crafts and focuses extra attention on helping students catch up on learning colors and numbers.

But Glenn's service isn't limited to the hours when most University students sleep. As one of five members of the Student Volunteers Council's (SVC) executive board, she helps organize the University's community servie networks.

Once a week, the executive board discusses shortand longterm goals and reviews the progress of individual projects, Glenn said.

She is in charge of one category of projects — social action and emergency services programs — coordinates project leaders to make sure their programs run smoothly.

Glenn is also the project coordinator for Mt. Carmel Guild, which provides emergency food and financial assistance, operates an in-home nursing program and runs the preschool program for which she volunteers.

Glenn's involvement with the SVC began before her freshman year, when she went on Community Action (CA), a multi-day service trip for incoming-freshmen.

"I really liked CA," she said, "and I just kept working with the SVC after CA was over."

Glenn's SVC colleagues and friends recognize her hard work.

"Katy is a very dedicated person who shows a true commitment for community service work and has really devoted herself to improving not only Princeton but its surrounding area," said James Williams '06, who serves on the SVC's executive board. "She has devoted herself to really breaking out of the 'Princeton bubble' and reaching out to the broader community."

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In addition to her involvement with the SVC, Glenn serves as a residential adviser in Rockefeller College and as a peer adviser for the Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources and Education program.

She also helps organize Take Back the Night and participates in the International Relations Council.

Glenn is currently starting a volunteer program within the IRC to educate local high school students about international relations.

Her reason for devoting as much time to volunteering as many students devote to studying?

"I just really enjoy doing service work," she said. "Of course it makes me feel good and it keeps me sane."

She added that doing service work keeps her grounded — reminding her that there's more to life than studying and making As — a fact easily forgotten on campus.

"It reminds me that there's a world outside of Princeton," she said. "Preschool students don't care about what grades you get."