In print | November 15, 2007

Swarthmore consistently receives national media coverage for students making changes - big changes - in the world, through their efforts, which include facilitation of Hurricane Katrina relief, coverage of the Iraqi war and raising awareness about the Darfurian genocide. There is no doubt that we are a college full of socially aware and incredibly proactive students. Although the media spotlight has been on the large-scale projects that Swatties have undertaken, an increasing number of students have taken commendable strides on more personal levels to create change.

Take Lauren Goodfriend ’08 for example. While she may not have the national stardom that Leonardo DiCaprio or Al Gore have to promote their campaigns against global warming, she took the initiative to change her lifestyle by creating a system to generate solar energy in her dorm room. Should other people follow suit, a venture that started with one person will turn into an effective movement. Similarly, rather than ask their fellow students to contribute large sums of money, the Global Health Forum asked for donations of $10 per person, and already, $3,000 have been raised to help fight Malaria in Uganda.

Perhaps Mathatma Gandhi said it best when he advised, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This quote has taken on many different meanings and has been acted on in a myriad of different ways. However, while the headlines tend to be given to the individuals whose efforts have produced huge results, we want to praise those who have done their share - little by little, bit by bit - to fix the problems they’ve seen in the world around them. Every one of us has the capacity to make a difference in out own way, and these initiatives, small as they may be, should not go unnoticed.

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