Randolph student recognized for community service

Curtis Weaver ‘17, the president of Randolph College Circle K, was inducted as a Lifetime Member into the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation.

A Randolph College sophomore has been recognized by the tri-state district of Kiwanis International for his leadership of Randolph’s community service club.

Curtis Weaver ’17, the president of Randolph College Circle K, was inducted as a Lifetime Member into the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation during a recent district convention in Fairfax, Va. He was one of only two students from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., to be honored with the induction, which includes a monetary gift made in his honor to help support programs for young people.

Weaver was surprised by the announcement, partly because he feels that his service is just what any club president would do. He also feels that the opportunity to serve has been instrumental in his personal development. “It’s not just about how much I feel I helped the club grow, but how much they’ve helped me grow as a person,” he said.

Under Weaver’s leadership, Randolph’s chapter of Circle K, the collegiate version of Kiwanis, has grown in membership and activity.

The group has worked on several off-campus volunteer projects, including Habitat for Humanity builds, and organized its own projects, too. Last fall, the club organized a “30 Hour Famine,” when they went without food to help them build empathy for those who do not have ready access to food. Those participating in the “famine” raised more than $300 and 200 cans and other nonperishable food items for Lynchburg Daily Bread.

Weaver got involved with Circle K as a first-year student when a friend invited him to participate in a volunteer project. “I really wanted to push forward how important community service is,” he said. In addition to leading Randolph’s chapter of Circle K, he has advised students at other nearby colleges who are trying to start or grow their own chapters.

Being the club president has helped Weaver develop his leadership style to allow others to be leaders, too. He has enjoyed watching other Randolph students contribute their ideas and talents to help the community. “If you give them something they’re motivated with, they’re more willing to get their hands dirty and work on that project,” Weaver said.