DBU students serve across the DFW area

DALLAS—More than 600 incoming Dallas Baptist University students participated in the school's recent SWAT—Student Welcome and Transition—week.

Incoming Dallas Baptist University basketball player Remy Ndiaye of Senegal helps prepare school supplies for Brother Bill's Helping Hands of Dallas.

Activities included small-group sessions, recreation, candlelighting, Patriot Follies, a pep rally, Patriot Games and other events designed to help acclimate the students to DBU life.

On Friday of SWAT week, students served in teams across the Metroplex at a variety of locations. From playing with children to cleaning apartment complexes, the students learned about needs in their new community and were able to serve their new neighbors.

Dallas Baptist University students package new shoes at Buckner International for the organization's Shoes for Orphan Souls program.

Freshman Mahtab Dossani from Mansfield worked at the Dallas Life Foundation homeless shelter.

"It was a great experience, and I would love to come back again," she said. "The people were so appreciative, and it is amazing to think about what God has in store and how he is going to use them in the future."

Lindsay Rose, director of student engagement at DBU, noted the significant number of returning students who joined campus newcomers in the SWAT activities.

"I have never seen the energy and passion from returning students that we had this year," Rose said.

"We also had the most energetic, passionate group of incoming students that we have seen in a long time. SWAT was a wonderful experience for everyone involved and set a great tone for this upcoming year."