Students in the HM 490 Independent Study of Nonprofit Fundraising Events class sought sponsorships, gifts and in-kind donations for Isaiah 117 House during their annual golf tournament at Lakeview Golf Club in Harrisonburg. Class members also assisted with tournament execution. Through their efforts they were able to raise $5,900 in sponsorships, $4,500 in in-kind donations and an estimated $2,300 in day-of food donations.

Each fall and spring, the Hart School partners with Sysco to feed students who face food insecurity in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham area. Last fall, local Sysco employees joined more than 300 Hart School students in the University Recreation Center (UREC) to assemble and deliver 5,000 bags of school-approved non-perishable food items to more than 20 schools in the local area.

Over the span of 10 days, students immersed themselves at the 2025 Masters Tournament, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. While working on-site, they experienced the meticulous planning and execution required for the staging of a high-profile, tradition-rich event. They learned about guest services, hospitality operations and crowd management at an elite level, while also sharpening their communication, adaptability and professionalism in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Read more about their experience.

At the 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, students volunteered at the Final Four Music and Fan Festivals, worked the Men’s Naismith Awards and had opportunities to explore the city. They broadened their industry knowledge by attending an NBA game and working at the San Antonio Missions season opener. Students also met with a representative from Wasserman, a multimedia sports company, to network and strengthen their understanding of possible career pathways.

Students began their day at the Downtown Hilton where they met General Manager John Cario ('83) and listened to a panel discussion followed by Q&A. The group then toured the Marriot next door, enjoyed lunch and conversation with Richmond Mayor, Levar Stoney ('04), and concluded the day with a visit to the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Here they were shown an example of an event space set-up and told about different types of events held at the convention center and the importance of fluidity between different departments to execute an event.

Hart School students, faculty, staff and advisory board members volunteered their time at Camp Still Meadows, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round therapeutic activities for children and adults with developmental and/or physical disabilities. For seven years, volunteers have been helping to prepare the property for the return of summer campers. 

This year, the camp benefited from 500 working hours thanks to the 200 Hart School volunteers who worked in teams to paint, pull weeds, organize materials, clear forest paths and clean up the stables.

Students from each of the Hart School programs of study volunteered at the Health and Fitness Expo, a segment of the The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in Nashville, Tennessee. While practicing their customer service skills, volunteers helped runners locate their race bibs and t-shirts and directed participants through the expo. Student volunteers were also present at the start and finish lines to assist with organizing the 25,000 half and full marathon racers. Read about a similar previous trip.