“After September 11…I watched like everyone in the country with a great deal of dismay and thought, what can I do to help?”

Rev. Glenn Ashton ’84, IT Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Dept., University of Colorado

September 11 had a great affect on the Reverend Glenn Ashton ’84. “I watched like everyone in the country with a great deal of dismay and thought, what can I do to help?”

Ashton volunteers for the Hygiene (Colo.) Volunteer Fire Depart-ment. Certified as a firefighter II, red card wildland firefighter and first responder, he says that being a firefighter gives him a great deal of satis-faction. “It’s a part of who I am.”

Just last year Ashton personally responded to approximately 38 calls rang-ing from “one of the biggest grass fires we’ve ever fought” in which they saved a number of homes, to traffic accidents, car fires and burning buildings.

Hard work, planning and training are what Ashton says make “every-thing just come together.” Fortunately, most of the calls he has been on have ended happily. The department works hard not to have tragedy happen, he says. “But,” he adds, “the reality is, sometimes people die.”

A sobering and emotionally challenging situation, Ashton says, “It gives you pause, you think about your own mortality and the people you love, and you behave compassionately. It’s just part of what you do,” he says matter of factly.

Why does he do it?

“Inside every grown man is a little boy who loves fire trucks. I am that little boy,” Ashton says. “But of course it’s also the ability to help people. It’s exciting, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an adrenaline rush. Guys do get hurt doing this, but we try to take care of each other and make sure we’re safe on the scene.”

“Personally, I just love being a firefighter.”

Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D., P. Kenneth Nase, M.D. ’55 Chair of Biology/Professor of Biology

Karen Campbell has spent many, many hours working with bats.

As a biology professor, she presents about 15-20 talks each year to school and community groups about bats, their ecology and behavior, the process of doing science, and how to learn about the world in which we live.

But as baseball commissioner for the Oley Valley Youth League, Campbell not only deals with bats, but also balls, gloves, players, coaches, uniforms, and much more.

As commissioner, Campbell helps organize the leagues, works with coordinators for different age groups, and helps to run the minor and major league tournaments, in which both of her sons have been involved over the past couple of years. She also spends a lot of time coaching and fundraising for new uniforms, league fees and supplies.

Campbell’s involvement in the youth league began when her two sons started to play T-ball and soccer. “Parents were encouraged to participate,” she says. “It helps keep the kids busy and learning.”

Campbell has been volunteering since the age of 10, when she was recruited to help raise funds for the March of Dimes. “There’s some-thing very satisfying about giving something back to the community in which I live,” she says. “Whether it’s my time as a volunteer or my exper-tise as a professional, it’s very much about being part of a community that works together.”

Campbell says she particularly enjoys working with children, helping them learn different skills and enjoy the experience of participating in team sports.

Also a PIAA umpire for softball, Campbell notes that being behind the plate at baseball games also has its perks. “It’s always the best seat in the house!”

“There’s some-thing very satisfying about giving something back to the community in which I live.”