They had 14 weeks to complete the challenge, but they only needed 11.

On Friday, April 20, Nebraska Wesleyan University students, faculty, and staff surpassed the 3,000 hour service challenge that was issued to them in February.

Students collectively volunteered 3,086.25 hours while faculty and staff added another 262.50 hours.

Together they cleaned at Northeast Family Center, washed tables at the Bowls for Backpacks fundraiser, and pulled tags off overstock clothing at the Center for People in Need. They spent their spring break serving breakfast at a Denver homeless shelter, and spent cold, dreary mornings preparing gardens for Community CROPS.

The University was first issued the service challenge in February, following a student organization's service trip to Kansas City where they immersed themselves in poverty-stricken parts of the city.

Student organizers were pleased by the outcome and are now working toward next year's service challenge goal: 12,500 hours in honor of Nebraska Wesleyan University's 125th anniversary.