Life > December 6, 2003

Volunteer Student of the Year

While some students become engaged in volunteer and service activities to add another line to their resumes, senior Sinead O’Doherty’s motivation for service comes from within. 

“Service is as much a part of me as being Irish is or having unmanageably curly hair,” she said.

Sinead’s stellar record of service began at the age of three when she started dancing and performing in nursing homes. She instantly realized the connection between service and fun.

“It’s (service) fun, and I think that a lot of people don’t realize it. It’s kind of addictive. The more you do it (service), the more you want to do,” she said.

With her involvement in the Catholic community, Project Bokonon, Project Pumpkin, National Residence Hall Honorary, and the March of Dimes, Sinead certainly has developed quite an addiction over her college years.  She says that her biggest contribution on campus has been in her ability to integrate different campus groups to become involved in common service projects.

To date, Sinead’s most memorable service experience was a service trip to Costa Rica with the Catholic community last winter break. During this trip, Sinead worked to improve the learning environment for elementary school children.

As a double major in English and communications, Sinead has found balancing her service activities with her academics challenging. She had originally planned to attend law school immediately after graduation, however, she recently decided to take a year off to dedicate herself full time to service, which she hopes will take place abroad in either Eastern Europe or Italy.

With her many contributions to communities, domestically and abroad, Sinead says that she has definitely received more in doing service than she feels she has contributed. “Service has definitely shaped my life. I can’t really remember not doing service and volunteering. I’m selfish. I really like volunteering,” she said.

There is nothing selfish about that.

—Angel Hsu