LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday marks the first day of classes at Bellarmine University.  

Before freshmen hit the books, they spent the day learning a valuable lesson about giving back during the Knights in Action community engagement event. 

For Zander Hurley, giving back is as easy as 1-2-3. 

“I’m an accounting major, so I like numbers,” says Hurley.

The Bellarmine University freshman is starting his college journey by removing weeds at Highlands Court, an affordable housing community for seniors and physically challenged residents. 

“We’re like a five-minute walk from campus, so helping out the community around the campus it feels absolutely awesome because not every university gives back to the community that it’s in,” says Hurley.  

Knights in Action is a Bellarmine University welcome week tradition. 

The entire Bellarmine freshmen class, about 550 students, volunteered at 27 community partner locations around Louisville. 

“With Louisville being so large, just one person will make a difference, because other people will follow, and then that will have a domino effect into the whole community being together, being unified and just being overall an awesome place to live,” says Hurley.

Bellarmine University instructor Stephanie Early says the event is a way to return the favor to a community that always supports the university. 

“I think it’s really great to set that intention for the next four years for them to be involved and to really jump in and get their feet wet with what we do at Bellarmine,” says Early.

Hurley is excited community service is something his school values. 

“Since we live in the community, in some sense, you’re helping you, your friends, and your family, so it’s just awesome to help in any way you can whether it’s pulling weeds, working at a food bank, homeless shelter, any way possible. It’s just awesome to be involved,” says Hurley. 

He looks forward to continuing to make an impact in the community that will be his home for the next four years.