Frankie Nocito picks up litter as part of the campus cleanup he organized.
DALLAS, Pa. — Members of two campus organizations joined together for a campus cleanup as part of an overall Penn State event in April.
Student-athletes from Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s golf team, along with members of the campus Surveying Society, took part in the cleanup as part of the fourth annual Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Volunteer Week, which ran from April 1-12. The previously one-week event was extended to cover two weeks in April, which is National Volunteer Month.
The cleanup saw students dedicating their time to tidying up various areas of the campus. The effort was organized by Frankie Nocito, a surveying engineering technology major in his final year.
Nocito and his fellow volunteers targeted several key areas for cleanup, including the main entrance, the campus stream and walking paths. The efforts focused on collecting any trash found, as well as clearing branches and debris from the paths. The team also made sure to separate recyclables for proper disposal.
“I thought this initiative would be a great way to improve and clean up our campus while also positively impacting the environment,” Nocito said. “First impressions are always very important and the first thing that visitors see is the main entrance. As for the rest of campus, not only does it help the environment and reduce pollution, but it also creates a good vibe on campus. Many of our students take walks to decompress and reduce stress. Speaking for everyone, I think seeing the campus clean and without trash makes everyone happier and more relaxed.”
Nocito is a member of the golf team, webmaster for the Surveying Society and a committee member for THON and the PSUAC Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He is involved in other volunteer work, including with the National Wild Turkey Federation, which aims to improve wild turkey habitats, and his church, St. Joseph Marello Parish in Pittston.
PSUAC Volunteer Week activities provide an opportunity for PSUAC students to engage with their campus and local communities, with a majority of the 14 campuses participating each year.
“Our student-athletes are important members of the campus community. They show their pride in their campuses and communities through efforts like these,” said PSUAC Commissioner Ryan Ehrie. “It's important for them to understand the value of being part of the local community, and they continue to impress me with the efforts they put in around the year. It's exciting to see their service that goes above and beyond their participation in sport.”
Lucas Carpenter, a member of the campus Surveying Society, helps clean up the grounds of the campus.
