Thomas Burford of Roanoke, who is majoring in integrated language arts, has joined several Ashland University organizations, including the school’s orientation team, philosophy club, the Community Care Organization and the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

He is the son of Eric and Julie Burford of Roanoke. Burford is a 2011 graduate of Cave Spring High School.

The Orientation Team organizes the Ashland University summer orientation program. This program is designed to introduce freshman, transfer, minority, commuter, international and other special interest students to the campus. It also aims to enhance social interaction and to provide incoming students with necessary information for a successful college career.

The Philosophy Club at Ashland University provides students with the opportunity to discuss various philosophical concepts and ideas. It is an open forum in which members can examine their current belief systems and evaluate them with those of their peers. Guest speakers also are invited at various points during the year to lecture on current affairs, such as political ethics and religious issues.

Community Care is a seven-team program at the University. Its mission is to expand students’ social and educational experiences, as well as to create an atmosphere of lifelong service to the community and an understanding of social responsibility. Burford serves as the Habitat for Humanity fundraising assistant for one of the teams, which works with Habitat for Humanity International. Their mission is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. The team’s projects include fundraisers for Habitat, a Spring Break trip and regular local builds for Habitat for Humanity of Richland County, and many advocacy events such as 1 in 6 day and the House Challenge.

The purpose of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity is to foster interaction between men which leads toward the furthering of each member’s personal development. Some of the fraternity’s activities include the Homecoming Alumni Reunion, Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Founder’s Day Celebration and other social gatherings. Membership is open to any male student who meets the standards of membership and has a 2.5 grade point average.

– Submitted by Ashland University