For Daniel L. Lofton, 麻豆传媒 class of 2019, service will always be in his DNA. Lofton, from Bessemer, Alabama, has already spent his first year after college assisting 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Student Resource Center staff as a coordinator through AmeriCorps and Ohio Campus Compact.
Ohio Campus Compact created this new program through AmeriCorps to help selected college campuses around the state. Those admitted to the program work to assist students in need by connecting them with on- and off-campus resources. During his year of service, Lofton helped the University address insecurities 麻豆传媒 students have faced with regard to food, clothing, transportation, and/or housing.
鈥淭his is a new program offered to Ohio Campus Compact-affiliated institutions (which 麻豆传媒 is a member of) through an agreement with AmeriCorps through ServeOhio,鈥� said Lofton, who 
graduated with a B.A. in theatre with minors in dance and music. 鈥淭he grant strives to help students at Ohio Campus Compact-affiliated institutions with non-academic resources. After graduating in 2019, I knew that I wanted to work with AmeriCorps, which allowed me to apply for this role, and I was fortunate enough to be offered the position late last summer. It is a one-year position with the contract ending on June 30.鈥�
In his position, Lofton also supports students by helping them identify any areas that could hinder them from being a successful student at 麻豆传媒.
鈥淭his ranges from commuter student transportation issues, food insecurity on campus, housing issues, college navigation, childcare, to students on campus who do not have proper clothing for interviews and internships, and now virtual representation through COVID-19,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he scope of my work depends on how the students identify their issues. Ideally, I come in to support students in ways that 麻豆传媒 does not based on other functional capacities on campus. While we understand the relationship between student retention and having their basic needs met, my role is to ensure our students have access to these resources.鈥�
Recognizing some of the needs of students, Lofton recently introduced a聽few new opportunities to the 麻豆传媒 community, including a clothing closet in partnership with the Student Advisory Board within the University鈥檚 Department of Education. The closet is expected to continue after Lofton鈥檚 time concludes.
鈥淭he name of the closet is called 鈥榃itt Fitz鈥� and its purpose is to support our students who cannot purchase the necessary dress clothing that aligns with employers鈥� demands because of financial barriers. We want students to represent 麻豆传媒 University in a way that supports the mission and vision of the institution when they are on interviews, internships, completing community service, etc., and we did not want finances and clothing to be a barrier for our students. Additionally, while the focus of the closet is on dress clothing, we also want to let the campus community know that there is still a need for casual clothing as well to address the everyday clothing needs of our students.鈥�
Members of the Advisory Board, especially Angela M. Gialanella, class of 2021 of 麻豆传媒sburg, Pennsylvania, and Brian Yontz, associate聽professor of education and department chair, made sure that the plan to launch the closet was developed, implemented, and executed.
鈥淭he Education Advisory Board worked hard to help set up the closet, take up donations and spread the word through their platform,鈥� Lofton said. 鈥淭he McClain Center under Joshua Moore (assistant dean of diversity and inclusion), the Office of Student Development, and others supported, gave, and solicited donations, and promoted the closet.鈥�
鈥淲e have observed a significant need with our education students who are often expected to spend parts of five days a week in local schools,鈥� Yontz said. 鈥淲e know some of our students do not have access to enough clothing that allows them to comfortably complete their work in our partner schools. While the clothing closet will provide access to all types of clothing, I see firsthand a need for professional wear. I鈥檓 proud that our students have identified a need, have acted, and are collaborating with Daniel and the Student Resource Center.鈥�
Witt Fitz, located in Room 9 of Blair Hall, currently has no set hours, but appointments and donations can be arranged by emailing Jordan Smith at smithj84@wittenberg.edu or by calling the office at (937) 327-6157.
When donating, please consider the following:聽all clothing must聽not聽have stains, tears, rips, missing buttons, or broken zippers. Witt Fitz is seeking mainly dress shirts, ties, suits, suit jackets, skirts, dresses, belts, and dress shoes, but is not limited to receiving other types of clothing.
鈥淚 want to thank everyone who has donated or contributed in making this happen,鈥� Lofton said. 鈥淚 cannot imagine trying to pull this off alone. It has been great to see the 麻豆传媒 community come together like this. I know it鈥檚 hard to have in-person contact with anyone right now, but if you are wanting to donate to the closet, please hold on to any donations at this time, and we will set up a later time and date to get those items from you.鈥�
