Jack Sample, Toledo ’17, became the most recent SigEp to receive the distinction of “Fellow.” The honor is reserved for undergraduate brothers who successfully design, coordinate and complete a 500-hour service learning project before graduation.

When Sample arrived at Toledo in the fall of 2014, he fell in love with his new campus and city. However, he quickly realized there was a significant divide between the resources of the university and the city’s poorer areas. In his second semester, he decided to do something to help bridge the gap.

With the support of his SigEp chapter, Sample founded the student organization Pay It Forward Toledo. Students were enthusiastic about the new group and worked with Sample to bring International Pay It Forward Day to campus. The group performed and promoted random acts of kindness, and the event grew into a full week of activities before Sample began looking for opportunities for students to make a year-round impact in the community.

Sample’s work led to partnerships with a local homeless shelter and an underserved elementary school. Pay It Forward members volunteered to serve meals at the shelter and ran a weekly after-school athletic program for 5th to 8th graders. In total, Sample’s group performed over 1,100 hours of service.

As Pay It Forward Toledo has grown, several other SigEps have taken on leadership roles in the organization. With fellow chapter brothers involved in the program, Sample is confident in the future of its many community initiatives.+