Community service is at the forefront of the LeFevre Fellows program, which makes sense given its namesake. Howard E. LeFevre was not only one of the founders of Ohio State’s Newark campus, but he also founded The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology in downtown Newark. As a local business owner and active member of the local chamber of commerce, he recognized that both professional and personal skills could be honed by volunteerism and community involvement.
After its creation at Ohio State Newark more than two decades ago, the LeFevre Fellows program continues to thrive thanks to the generosity of the LeFevre Foundation. Each year, full-time students with strong academic records are invited to apply. After a rigorous application process that includes writing a personal statement explaining why they want to be a LeFevre Fellow and how this experience fits into their college plan or major, 18 students are accepted into the program.
As a cohort, the LeFevre Fellows take a one-credit course in the fall and a three-credit course in the spring focused on service-learning best practices and the needs of the local community. They also contribute 20-30 hours of service to the community each semester. Past partnerships include The Works, Licking County Parks and Recreation, Licking County Coalition for Housing, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Special Olympics. In addition, each fellow receives a $2,500 scholarship.
David Fryman, board chair of the LeFevre Foundation and LeFevre’s grandson, said the LeFevre Fellows program perfectly reflects the things his grandfather valued most: hard work, personal connections and giving back to the community.
“My grandfather believed in making things better than you found them, so I know he would be delighted to see what a difference the LeFevre Fellows are having on our community. They are making Licking County better and developing the skills needed to have an even bigger impact in the future.”
Participants in the LeFevre Fellows program couldn’t agree more.
“The LeFevre Fellows program’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration perfectly complements my academic journey,” explained Tanka Neupane, a biochemistry major with a pre-med focus. “I am particularly enthusiastic about community service, a passion that aligns seamlessly with the LeFevre Fellows’ ethos. Engaging with local communities has not only enriched my perspective but also honed my leadership skills — attributes essential to my pre-med track.”