GCC students pull an all-nighter to help Haiti

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When a group of dedicated students and faculty join together to support an important cause, creative things can happen -- especially in the middle of the night.

At the Feb. 5 "All-nighter for Haiti" at Genesee Community College, more than 50 students willingly shared a sleepless night in the Student Union pledging their support for the earthquake-ravaged country.

Under the guidance of Candice S. Faulring, instructor of psychology and faculty advisor to the Gay-Straight Alliance student club, the event not only raised nearly $2,000, it  created a new sense of camaraderie from an array of different student clubs.

"The students were very excited throughout the night and in the end, they just didn't want the positive experience to end with the all-nighter," Faulring said. "We are already planning to make this an annual event, picking a new charitable cause each year. Of all the things I've been involved with at GCC, this is one I'm most proud of."

The event was co-sponsored by the following student clubs and departments: Gay-Straight Alliance, the African-American Student Union, FORUM Players, the Art Club, College Village and Student Activities. Proceeds from "All-nighter for Haiti" will be donated to Yele Haiti and Doctors Without Borders – Haiti.

The students groups worked together to organize the all-night series of different activities that included team-building exercises, movie features, a karaoke contest, ping pong and billiard games, pizza and wings at midnight, comedy, and perhaps most dynamically, the heartwarming, one-hour discussion about Haiti. Students talked about how people around the world, not the least of which includes GCC, are pulling together to help bring the impoverished nation back from the brink of oblivion.

"What was so wonderful was the open, honest conversations that drew the students from very diverse backgrounds and different interests together," Faulring said. "Cohesion like this doesn't happen in just an hour in a classroom setting. New friendships were definitely made that night and those will last long beyond the all-nighter helping Haiti."

Students are looking forward to sharing their experience by posting their photos on Facebook and continuing their communication through the Internet. They are also beginning to plan the next all-nighter this fall.

The term "pulling an all-nighter" may conjure negative images of students cramming for an exam, finishing a paper or working through a double shift. But this "all-nighter" brings to mind students and faculty dedicated to helping people in need. It really means creative collaborations that lead to camaraderie.

For more information please contact Candice Faulring, instructor of psychology at Genesee Community College at 343-0055 x6295 or email csfaulring@genesee.edu.