Andrew Miller of Stewartstown Helps Make the First Community Tech Day at Widener University a Success

2014 Nov 24

Andrew Miller, a sophomore majoring in computer science at Widener University in Chester, Pa., recently volunteered to help administer the university's first Community Tech Day sponsored by IBM. Miller is from Stewartstown, Pa..

The Widener Computer Science Department organized the November 8 Community Tech Day as a way to give back to the Chester community using the technical skill sets of its faculty, staff, and students. Student volunteers like Miller helped Chester community members get their electronic devices working to the best of their ability.

To say that the first Community Tech Day was a success is an understatement. The 25 Widener student volunteers, with help from four faculty, three staff members, and seven IBM volunteers, served 40 members of the Chester community and 50 devices. Some individuals representing nonprofits brought in multiple computers.

The students successfully diagnosed and repaired all but three devices. The community members raved about the level of customer service provided by the students. Comments not only addressed the students' knowledge, but also their patience and kindness.

Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate's, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve some 6,300 students. Widener is proud to be a tobacco-free university. Visit the university website, www.widener.edu.