Pre-reunion Antioch College Volunteer Work Project is a tradition that dates back to 1986. This past July 16-19, during the Summer 2026 VWP work period, 42 volunteer alumni, spouses/partners, and friends contributed 964 volunteer hours of service (including 100 hours in advance of the formal work period). The aggregate value of the Summer 2026 VWP volunteer-donated service was $31, 300 (serve.ohio.gov 2026 hourly rate: $32.42). In addition, several volunteers made in-kind gifts of unreimbursed purchases to support the College.
Volunteer Activities associated with Buildings and Grounds included:
Amphitheater (cleanup, weeding), Antioch Microfarm (harvest & wash vegetables), Art Annex (electrical/lighting), Birch (remove fence, replaced 10 toilet gaskets, resolved clog issues, stall door repair, clean laundry room, drawer repair, blinds research), Coretta Scott King Center (purchase, prep, cooking, serving, clean-up), Fire Pit (bench removal, assembled new donated benches, repair swing), Foundry Theater (paint railings, floor tiles, weeding, door repair/hanging, planted the donated David F Vincent tree and flowers, placed donated ceramic tile, carpentry), Grounds, including Birch & South patios, Main & OKL entrances, Horseshoe (weeding, planting perennials, mulching, trimming, plant purchasing), Maintenance Building (clock timer repair), McGregor (sanitize door jams/ switches, checked toilets), North (food history exhibit), Olive Kettering Library (food history research, stack sequence checking), South (checked toilets), South/McGregor/Spalt/Foundry (office and bench moves).
Administrative and support activities included:
Admissions (postcards/letters, phone calls), Advancement (letters), Alumni Reunion prep (streamers, pouches, tables, etc., library research, cabaret prep, dorm linens & bed prep), Business Office (shredding), Coop (data entry, scanning), VWP support (admin/paperwork, keys/check-in, task coordination, David F Vincent celebration prep).
Thank you Summer 2026 VWP Volunteers:
Paul Apone, Libby Arny, Jack Bachmann, Penny Ball, Phillip Brigham, Bob Chadwick, Ken Chambers, Peter Chintis, Margaret Eccles, Shannon Edwards, Charles Faulkner, Coco Gagnet, Evelyn Genkinger, Lauren Gjessing, Bill Hanson, Diana Harvey, Nick Hennessy, Jessie Herr, Roger Huff, Jim Hunter, Susanne Johnson, Catherine Jordan, Seth Kaplan, Shirley Kristensen, Louise Lakhn, Louise Meller, Hope Anne Nathan, Jill Ordman, Ralph Overton, Denwood Parrish, Nancy Person, Robin Rice, Beth Richards, Martha Rose, Burt Sage, David Southern, Jim Spangler, Joan Straumanis, Greta Treistman, Megan Trolander, Laurie White, Conrad Zagory.
Special Kudos to the Chefs and Kitchen Crew:
There was no natural gas service to the Coretta Scott King Center during VWP/Reunion week, shutting down the gas stove and gas hot water heater. Despite those obstacles, they showed resilience and improvisation to provide wonderful food and beverages to the VWP volunteers and guests.
Plan Ahead & Mark Your Calendar!
Volunter Work Project is a time for alumni and friends of Antioch from around the country to gather in Yellow Springs for service to benefit the College and fellowship – a time to use your skills, learn new skills, connect with old friends, & make new friends.
The upcoming Fall 2026 VWP will be October 18-23, 2026.
For information & Fall 2026 registration, please visit: https://forms.gle/aTYt1uHgdCrbk7ZG8
Save these 2027 dates:
Spring 2027 VWP: March 14-19, 2027
Summer 2027 VWP: July 18-22, 2027
2027 Reunion: July 22-25, 2027
Fall 2027 VWP: Dates TBD
