Sara Allender '09: A Spirit of Generosity
As President of Pacific’s Pre-OT (Occupational Therapy) club, a Student Alumni Relations Committee chair, a Student Ambassador, a member of the Student Giving Committee, and the handball team, to say that Sara Allender’s schedule is "full" would be an understatement.
And those are just her extracurricular pursuits; the Exercise Science major is also busy juggling her senior project studying the effects of fatigue on response times and a pile of graduate school applications, with hopes to continue her studies as a Boxer.
But while this level of frenzy is typical of many a college student, what sets Sara apart is the grand spirit of generosity with which she serves her many commitments.
And she hopes it’s contagious.
Just this year, Sara joined the new Student Giving group with a mission to empower her peers to take more pride in supporting the University. She is quick to point out that tuition only covers 80 percent of the University’s annual expenses. "I try to educate otherstudents that they can do something to make their school even better." She then recounts with wide eyes the story of the 22 students (the entire student body at the time) who raised the final $4,065 necessary to build Marsh Hall in 1895 — an amount which would total more than $100,000 today. "That’s so amazing! Students have more power than they think they do."
So what’s a budding philanthropist who just can’t help being helpful to do when she needs to recharge her own body and soul? "I get crazy if I go long periods of time without exercise," says Sara. "I’m usually in the PAC (Pacific Athletic Center) whenever I have time."
(Above: Sara Allender ‘09 hits the gym before a full day of classes, club and committee committments.)