Lending a helping hand

By Kyle Hobstetter on June 24, 2019

For as long as he could remember, Towson University senior Kervens Blain wanted to help people. He enrolled at TU because he wanted to be part of the university’s nursing program.

After taking the initial classes, Blain realized nursing wasn’t for him. But he was enjoying his time at TU and wanted to stay in the College of Health Professions. 

Through the guidance of his adviser, the Hamilton, New Jersey, native found a new way to help people: physical therapy. He expects to graduate in December with a degree in exercise science. 

“I’m very happy right now,” Blain says with a smile. “The kinesiology classes that I’ve taken are very particular and very informative. They really prepared me for life after college.” 

Blain’s passion for helping extends to TU’s newest students. For two summers, he’s been involved with New Student Orientation, including a stint as an orientation leader.

This summer, Blain returned to New Student Orientation as the student director of social media and marketing, working with this year’s crop of orientation leaders. He's already put his mark on the position by producing a series of videos for the office's YouTube channel — which includes a advice series geared towards new students. 

An admittedly social person, Blain says orientation is a perfect opportunity to not only be around people, but also to help the newest members of the TU community. 

“Being an orientation leader is the best position I’ve taken on campus,” Blain says. “It’s honestly an amazing feeling knowing that you have the opportunity to help with someone’s first experience here on campus.

“I’ve had students come up to me during the school year and say, ‘You really made my experience so much better.’ That’s just an amazing feeling.” 

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Along with interacting with new students, Blain enjoys working with the New Student and Family Programs staff. He’s quick to credit them not only with being open and honest with their orientation leaders, but with wanting the students to grow personally and professionally. 

“I appreciate that they are very welcoming and open-minded,” says Blain. “They’re really big on inclusivity. They always want to include everyone and are always willing to hear your ideas.”

Along with helping new students during orientation, Blain has also found a way to help current students living on campus. Starting this past May, he has served as president of the University Residence Government (URG). 

The URG is a student organization that represents all on-campus residents by hosting events, advocating for change in the residence halls, and aiming to make TU seem more like a home. 

When he was a freshmen, Blain joined his residence hall’s Building Council, which is the first step for students interested in URG. The following year he was president of the Tower C Building Council. 

After being hooked by those initial first steps, Blain wanted to continue working his way up through URG. So when he was named president earlier this year, he hoped he could provide help the same way the organization did with him. 

“URG really helped me in my transition to TU,” says Blain. “Being able to give back to my fellow students and be part of something bigger than I am … I just loved it.”

Blain says his experiences with URG and New Student Orientation enabled him to learn more about himself and helped him mature. They also helped him discover and develop skills that will help him personally and professionally.

“When I came to TU, I didn’t know my 'Why?' yet,” Blain explains. “But Towson University showed me that my 'Why?' is to help people. The classes and organizations I’ve been part of have opened my eyes tremendously.”