Summer 2014 graduate Richaurd Bonds likes to stay busy.
The 23-year-old from New Orleans, who earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, recently started playing acoustic guitar. For many years, he’s “dabbled in baking,” and has dreams of owning his own restaurant.
But first, Bonds, who has two part-time jobs, will begin taking courses in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s professional land and resource management program when fall semester classes begin Aug. 25. Students who complete the program earn a business degree and often become “landmen,” as they are commonly known, who negotiate and manage contracts related to resources such as oil, natural gas and timber. “It seems pretty cool, and maybe that (career) could fund a restaurant someday.”
Despite his heavy academic and work schedule, Bonds accumulated 1,491 hours of community service and became the first UL Lafayette summer graduate to earn the Dean of Community Service Excellence in Service Award. Last week, the University held its first summer Commencement ceremony since 1949.
The service award was established in 2012. It is given to graduating seniors or graduate students each semester in recognition of their leadership and contributions to their community. Students participate in a range of projects, from assisting non-profit organizations with marketing plans to planting vegetation in public green spaces.
Bonds worked with Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for low-income families, and tutored students at Alice Boucher and J.W. Faulk elementary schools. He also worked with New Hope Community Development of Acadiana; the SMILE Community Action Agency; and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
“Richaurd is one of those exceptional students,” said Dr. David Yarbrough, dean of Community Service, explaining that a student must have at least 200 hours of documented community service to be eligible for the award. “Many students will have 100 hours, or 150 hours of service. Not many reach that 200 mark.”
Yarbrough said 76 students have been recognized with the Dean of Community Service Excellence in Service Award. They have completed a total of about 60,000 hours of service, resulting in an economic impact of more than $1 million.
About 5,000 students perform community service each year through University programs and partnerships, Yarbrough said.
Students can gain experience related to their field of study, and network with professionals and peers.
“It really opened doors for me, as far as meeting others who are striving to do great things, and even just socially. It really helped me to get out of my shell,” Bonds said.