Georgia Southern University students Benjamin King, of Peachtree City, and Amiee McCauley, of Tyrone, took part in the BUILD leadership development workshop Aug. 7-11. BUILD (Building Undergraduate Involvement and Leadership Development) is part of the Southern Pathways pre-semester leadership programs.

University student Eric Foy, of Peachtree City, took part in the WILD leadership development workshop Aug. 7-11. WILD (Wilderness Introduction and Leadership Development) is part of the Southern Pathways pre-semester leadership programs.

“The Southern Pathways Leadership Program strives to help incoming freshmen with their transition to college life by introducing them to concepts that will enrich their educations both in and out of the classroom,” said Kellie Pickett, assistant director of student leadership.

Approximately 40 incoming freshmen participated in the BUILD workshop. During the day the students constructed playhouses for the Statesboro Habitat for Humanity affiliate. The playhouses will be auctioned off later in the year as a fundraiser for Habitat. In the evening they were involved in small group discussions led by current student leaders at the university.

The students lived in the Recreation Activity Center for the week, even sleeping on mats on the floor. By the week’s end the students logged over 1,000 combined service hours.

Ten incoming freshmen participated in the WILD workshop held in the North Georgia mountains. They learned basic wilderness skills needed for self-sufficiency by backpacking some of the Appalachian Trail.