When it comes to helping out others, Norman Clarke seems like a good person to rely on.

“I like to volunteer,” Clarke said. “I used to volunteer at my grandma’s church, helping out with things like the food pantry and the toy drives.”

A junior sociology major, Clarke has had an interest in community service for most of his life, an interest that will most likely continue after graduation.

“I’d like to be a social worker,” said Clarke, “specifically to assist children. They need help early on so that they can have a decent future.”

Clarke is the president of B.O.N.D. (Brothers for a New Direction), having previously served as the vice-president his sophomore year. He helps run programs like the recent service trip to New Orleans where seven students worked with Operation Southern Comfort to rebuild houses for people who suffered through Hurricane Katrina.

“As the president, I make sure things run smoothly,” Clarke said. “I let the administrators know what’s going on and I take care of funding for the group. I also make sure everyone is holding up their part.”

Clarke also takes care of annual B.O.N.D. events like a haunted house collaboration with P.O.W.E.R. and B.O.N.D. Night.

“We work with P.O.W.E.R. to put together a haunted house for the children of Springfield Gardens,” said Clarke. “We manage to give the kids a little scare, but they like it.”

“B.O.N.D. Night will serve as a showcase of what we’re doing with the group,” Clarke noted. “Hopefully, it’ll encourage others to give back.”

If that wasn’t enough, he tutors various subjects and has even tutored junior high students in New Orleans who were reading at an elementary level.

That being said, Clarke does take time out to participate in intramural sports (which he’s done since his freshman year), admitting that soccer and football are “really fun.”

“It’s a chance to compete against other players at the school,” Clarke said. “And it’s a good way of showcasing the talent we have.”