The COVE: Celebrating 25 Years of Service, Community, and Impact

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Five students kneel in a garden next to a grow of garlic plants on a cloudy day.

Students volunteer in the Colgate Community Garden.

By: Contributing Writer
February 13, 2026

For 25 years, the COVE has been connecting students with community-centered partnerships, helping to create a lasting impact beyond Colgate’s campus. From one-time projects to semester-long commitments, the COVE facilitates numerous opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with the community.

In 2000, three Colgate students — Betsy Levine ’01, Jenny Buntman ’03, and Adrienne LaGier ’01 — submitted a simple yet profound proposal to "organize and develop a credible community outreach program" that would foster a culture of engagement beyond the campus. One year later, the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE) was born.

In the 25 years since the COVE’s founding, its mission to foster a commitment to social responsibility by connecting students with community-centered partnerships has been realized. Thousands of students have contributed more than 635,000 service hours, equaling almost $17.8 million in economic impact for community partners.

Whether a student has an hour or a weekend to give, there are several ways to dive in and make an impact through the COVE this semester and beyond.

Students inside a warehouse sort bikes by size and add air to their tires.
Student volunteers help Community Bikes prepare refurbished bicycles for distribution.

The 25 Hours for 25 Years Challenge 

The COVE is challenging the entire Colgate community to complete 25 hours of service in honor of this anniversary. Students can tally hours through a COVE Team, a Day of Service, or independent work. Those who complete the challenge will receive a limited-edition 25th-anniversary T-shirt.

Be The Change Weekend 

A collaboration with Career Services and the Office of Advancement, this weekend bridges the gap between service and career. Students can network with alumni changemakers and explore how to turn a passion for the public good into a professional path.

Alternative Break Trips

Organized during winter and spring breaks, these service trips offer students the opportunity to embark off-campus with peers, engage in community service, and gain an understanding of social issues through experiential learning.

A college student visits with an elementary student in a classroom.
Students can volunteer as mentors to local elementary students through the Sidekicks program.

Join a Community-Based Team

With nearly 40 COVE teams available, there is a volunteer group for everyone. Whether it’s youth mentoring with Sidekicks or training as an EMT with Madison County EMS, these teams meet regularly and provide a deep sense of community.

Students sort fresh food items at Hope House to distribute to the local community for an MLK Day of Service project.
Students help sort fresh food items during an MLK Day of Service event.

Days of Service

Each year, the COVE invites Colgate students, faculty, and staff to celebrate local and national days of service, like the 13 Days of Green Day of Service, by volunteering an afternoon with nonprofit community partners. 

Students inside a warehouse sort bikes by size and add air to their tires.
Students organize donated home items for distribution to participating local nonprofits.

Salvage

At the end of each academic year, the COVE and the Office of Sustainability encourage students to donate new or gently used goods that can be repurposed in the community. These items are collected, organized, and distributed to participating local nonprofits, helping furnish transitional housing; provide warm clothing, bedding, and educational materials; and stock food pantry shelves. 

To find out more, listen to the 13 Podcast’s interview with the COVE’s director, Jeremy Wattles ’05. Throughout the semester, the COVE will share important moments in the center’s history — as well as profiles spotlighting current student leaders and alumni — on social media and in their weekly newsletter.