When students signed up for UNH Provost Bruce Mallory's course on how to become more engaged citizens, none imagined they would land on the set of a national television show, or 120 miles away from campus.
That's where they ended up last week, as they helped to repair a mold-infested home in rural Lyme New Hampshire – the latest project of the popular ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, in which local contractors and volunteers rebuild homes of people in need.
Over two days, and one night spent sleeping in a church basement, Mallory's 18 students, all freshmen, installed light bulbs, put in insulation and outlets, and carried heavy dry wall, sheet rock, cabinets and tile into the house owned by Jay and Elena Marshall.
Each student participated in the effort to build the house as a project for their unique first year course, "Be the Change You Want to See: Active Citizenship in a Multicultural World."
"[It] was arguably the coolest thing I've ever done," said Milty Terzis, one of the students in Mallory's class.
The drive was two and a half hours away, but the students carpooled together and planned the participation themselves. A group of three students worked specifically with staff from the television show to coordinate plans and make sleeping arrangements. They will turn their leadership experience into a final presentation for the class.
"The project encompasses work that demonstrates what it means to become an active citizen," Mallory said.
Terzis said she was pleased with how responsive and easy the T.V. crew members were to work with.
"One thing that surprised me was how friendly and caring the staff were… I didn't think they would be that awesome," said Terzis.
Through the rainy weather, students worked until midnight one day, then rose six hours later to return to work.
The work site was surrounded by cameras and filled with hundreds of people wearing matching blue shirts decorated with the show's logo.
"It was pretty awesome to be a part of and see what goes on ‘behind the scenes,'" Terzis said.
Although they had to leave any carpentry or electrical work to the professionals, they still had the opportunity to help in a big way.
"We installed light bulbs, put in insulation and outlets, and carried heavy dry wall, sheet rock, cabinets and tile into the house," said Lydia Bartlett, another student in the class.
The producers of the show chose this family because they were living in a home with toxic mold, which is a serious health hazard. Additionally, the Marshall family has eight children, one who is battling Leukemia.
Bartlett, who hadn't really signed up for the special first-year student class, was placed in it to fulfill a requirement needed to live in the Southeast Residential Community Building, or SERC C at UNH. She has been pleasantly surprised with what the class has had to offer.
"I had a great feeling of pride that I actually helped a family in need," said Bartlett.
She was also impressed with the hundreds of community members who came to lend a hand.
"It was different than what I expected, it was huge," she said.
While working on this project, Bartlett was reminded of the Hurricane Katrina victims who lost their homes and appreciated being able to rebuild what nature had damaged.
According to Mallory, this course "combines concepts around democratic practice, citizenship, education, and diversity."
The students enrolled in this class read and watch videos about experiences that others have had with community involvement to evaluate dedication. Professor Mallory also invites guest speakers from the campus community to the classroom.
This is the second year that the class has been offered. Last year students worked with many organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and environmental projects.
The students did not stay to see the house be revealed to the family, but are excited to watch the final results of their hard work on TV. The show is said to air the first week of December.
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