Habitat for Humanity has proved a popular activity on many college campuses.

Wittenberg is an exception of sorts. The university has been a driving force in one of the nation's most successful Habitat programs.

Jerry Hamilton, associate professor of education, recently was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Clark County Community Habitat for Humanity, which helps low-income families build homes, for his leadership in founding the local chapter in 1989. Last year, Hamilton organized the "Blitz Build," a simultaneous effort to build seven homes in Springfield with 200 volunteers. The local Habitat affiliate completed nine homes that year, placing it ahead of Columbus, Cincinnati and all but four percent of the nation's Habitat cities.

Wittenberg students have been a big part of those big numbers. "Last fall students were 99 percent of our workforce on some Saturdays," said David Saunders, president of the local Habitat board of trustees. "They are very proud of their chapter."

Just before Commencement in the spring, the student chapter, advised by Hamilton, donated a $10,000 matching grant to Habitat to help build another Springfield home on Dibert Ave. The students raise money working concession stands at Tiger football and basketball games. Those proceeds also allow Habitat students to travel around the country to build houses during spring break. This past spring, for instance, 70 Wittenberg students traveled to Habitat jobs in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and South Dakota.

The students are planning an even more ambitious contribution in 1999 when their goal is to completely finance, and build, a Springfield Habitat home.

Saunders said students are attracted by the home building program because "they can see the permanent, concrete results of their labors. They get a lot of excitement when they see a roof go up, and they can drive by and see the results of their work."