College is typically a time of studying, partying, self-exploration and planning your future. But, it's not often that your actions during these four years really make a significant impact on the lives of others.
At California State University Fresno (a.k.a. Fresno State), students enrolled in Marketing courses at the Craig School of Business are learning more than just how to become business-savvy execs. They're learning how to fold charity, fundraising and volunteerism into their every day lives.
For the past three years, in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, students have had the option of organizing and leading a Friends & Family Team and participating in The Light The Night Walk- for course credit! 
As part of individual coursework, students are required to complete a service-learning project. In short, the project is meant to teach students to lead a philanthropic or entrepreneurial initiative.
After completing his "Light The Night Project," former Marketing student, Ryan Summers, put it best: "It felt really good to do something for someone else. Sometimes you get wrapped up in your life and think you have so much to worry about; events like this put everything into perspective."
By accepting the challenge, the student becomes a Team Captain and recruits a group of people to walk. S/he sets fundraising goals, develops a marketing plan, organizing fundraising activities, creates marketing materials - including flyers, poster and letters - and executes the plan. The project culminates with the walk - this year it's on October 6th - held on-campus.
Since 2005, more than 200 students at Fresno State have completed The Light The Night Project, raising a total of $70,000. Dr. Skip Sherwood, Professor Emeritus of Marketing and member of the LTN Committee, lends his expertise to students involved in this project. He notes, "As a former marketing professor, I am constantly overwhelmed by the dedication, passion, and abilities of the students in the Craig School of Business."
To learn more about the Light The Night Walk in Fresno or a community near you, visit www.lightthenight.org.
For more information on The Light The Night Project , visit the Fresno State information page.
Image from www.fresnostatenews.com.
