Honorable Mention Winner
James Chambers
Stetson University
Junior in Computer Information Science/
Business Law
3.88 GPA

It’s safe to say that Stetson University's James Chambers, a junior in computer information science, is into building—building organizations on campus and even building houses.

As the vice president of Stetson’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, Chambers, along with his twin brother who serves as president, resurrected an organization that was essentially dying at their campus. This action took up much time during his sophomore year and is “perhaps my most dignified action,” says Chambers, 20. Without funding or inventory, and membership in the single digits, Chambers went to work by advertising the organization using print media and setting up booths at the student organization fairs to attract more members. Before long, Stetson’s Habitat for Humanity joined forces with the local West Volusia County chapter and brought in numerous members from fraternities because of its fun activities and the organizations’ required philanthropy hours.

In addition to rapid growth in membership, the organization also experienced growth in inventory. Before long, Chambers had to look for storage for all the equipment including $1,500 in tools funded by Stetson and SG.  He located an abandoned on-campus shed, and with the help of fellow Habitat for Humanity members worked to remodel and improve the storage space.

Habitat for Humanity is known for its work in building homes for the underprivileged, but Chambers helped to improve upon that by adding a new project. “He does need to be constantly challenged, as many things come very easily to him,” says Nancy Surynt, academic advisor. He helped write a national grant to receive funding to install internet access into the homes being built by Habitat and will participate in the program to teach the families moving in how to use the internet for applications such as job hunting and credit help. Chambers’ major makes him more than qualified to initiate such a project. “It’s our goal to see that these opportunities of empowerment are made available to everyone, regardless of their current social status,” Chambers says. Under his leadership, Habitat for Humanity received the “Service to the Community Award” and the “Bridging the Gap Award” from Stetson.

Along with his involvement with Habitat for Humanity, Chambers got involved in Student Government, currently serving as vice president where he works to integrate an academic honor code that will provide an outlet for students to report incidents anonymously. In addition, he’s worked to open communication between SG and the student body by completely remodeling SG's web site to be more user-friendly and informative. “He seems to methodically plan his actions and then persistently work to achieve his goals,” Surynt says.

All his leadership and service came easier because of the support of his brothers in the Stetson chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. Recently elected as secretary, Chambers has the responsibility of keeping their chapter in contact with the national headquarters. Among his peers in the fraternity system, Chambers was recognized last year for earning the highest sophomore GPA among Greek men. Chambers was also elected the vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society that recognizes superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character.

During the academic year, Chambers supports himself through three different scholarships which cover 33 percent of his costs and help from his mother who covers the rest of his expenses.
-BF

Contact Chambers at jchamber@stetson.edu.