Doubly good: Wilson Day expands

hat was one massive day of community service by incoming freshmen at the University expanded into two this year. On August 30 and 31, more than 1,000 Wilson Days volunteers painted, collected debris, planted flowers, and scooped ice cream at some 70 sites in the city and suburbs of Rochester.

The community focus expanded in other ways as well as freshmen took advantage of RTS bus tours of nearby neighborhoods to sample food and see sights away from the River Campus

Daniel Lioy '03, coordinated the broader vision of Wilson Days. "We're trying to show students all the assets of Rochester and build a stronger relationship between the students and the city," he says. "We want this experience to be a gateway to city life and student life."

To serve local nonprofit organizations, about 925 incoming freshmen were joined by transfer students, faculty, and staff for a total of nearly 1,100 volunteers. The mix of projects ranged from surveying a southwest Rochester neighborhood to enhancing a mural and park.

In its 14th year, Wilson Days is named for Joseph Wilson '31, former president and chairman of Xerox Corp. and a longtime supporter of the University.

A $4,000 grant from the City of Rochester helped pay for materials, and more than 30 organizations, government agencies, and large and small businesses in Monroe County support the program.

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