Courtney Crutchfield (right) works in the nursing lab.
Volunteering isn’t something Courtney Crutchfield does, it’s part of who she is.
As a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Crutchfield is dedicated to helping others on campus and in the community.
“Giving back to the community has also altered my mindset on volunteering,” said the sophomore from Manchester, Mo. “I think of volunteering now as more of a necessity to having a functional, unified community whereas before I viewed it as additional labor.”
As an NIU student, she has taken part in volunteer efforts at We Care Pregnancy Clinic, the Feed My Starving Children organization, Hope Haven, Feed’em Soup project and more.
And as a member of NIU’s University Honors Program and National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Crutchfield knows the importance of balancing academics with community involvement.
“Courtney has been very academic-focused since the moment she came to campus,” said Missy Lugo, NIU student success specialist. “Wanting to graduate from NIU with a nursing degree is very challenging and demanding. Courtney realized that she needed to (find a) balance because it was out of classroom experiences that helped her to grow and develop as well.”
Crutchfield is majoring in nursing, and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others while a student and throughout her career.
“Attending Northern Illinois University is one of the best decisions that I have made, and without it I would have never received the incredible opportunities that I have to make a difference,” she said. “Because of my decision to come here I have learned to be independent, to take initiative, and to stand up for what I believe in. This school emphasizes my character, and allows me to also help others in the discovery of their own characters as well.”
by Jane Donahue
