Class Project Rewards Students, Community

A holiday “bonus” for adjunct faculty member Jim Massey’s political science students has also turned into a gift for the Huntsville community.

As an extra credit project, Massey had his four “Principles of American Government—National and State” (POL 261) classes bring in non-perishable foods for the Good Shepherd Mission.

Much to his surprise, when it was all totaled up Wednesday, the students had brought in 1,778 pounds of food.

“It took two trucks to get it all there, but get it there we did,” he said. “A group of my students surprised me by coming back in the afternoon, after their classes were done, to help load the trucks—and unload them at the mission.”

Participation was optional for the credit, but most students brought at least one item. Students were given 25 points for participating, and the class with the most food earned an additional 10 points.

“I'm doing the same thing with my classes at Montgomery College, so I threw in a 15-point bonus to the class that brings in the most between the two campuses,” Massey said. “As there is 1,000 possible points to be earned throughout the semester, this gave them a good incentive to participate, especially if they missed a weekly assignment or two or didn't do as well on an exam as they would have liked.”

While the holidays were a big reason for having his students partake in the food drive, Massey’s first-hand experience as a single parent was also a motivating factor.

“I finished my BS as a single dad,” he said. “While I made sure my kids never went without, there were times things were much on the lean side.

“I have had to rely on food stamps and outside assistance, and I know that there are a lot of people out there—both attending Sam and in the Huntsville community at-large—in the same boat now,” he said. “This seemed like the best way to have a positive impact on the community as well as my students.”

Massey said he plans on having another drive in the spring, right before Easter weekend, and hopes to get more of the political science department to participate.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Dec. 7, 2007
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