Michigan State University students, faculty and staff will recognize the National Day of Service on Sept. 11, launching a Habitat for Humanity campus blitz build in partnership with Whirlpool Corp., Habitat For Humanity Lansing and Habitat for Humanity International.

The build is part of the 2010 Whirlpool Building Blocks initiative, Whirlpool's signature program with Habitat for Humanity. Since 1999, Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) has supported Habitat in its mission to create affordable housing and the company is one of the organization's largest corporate sponsors.

The first phase of construction will take place in the commuter parking lot near Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane. The house will then be moved to its permanent location in Lansing, where construction will be completed. The future homeowner is a graduate student at MSU, and she and her children will be the 100th family housed by Habitat for Humanity Lansing. The build will end on Oct. 15, wrapping up MSU's Fall Welcome activities.

"Partnerships, like this one with Whirlpool Corporation and Michigan State University, allow us to create affordable housing opportunities in partnership with local families," said Denise Paquette, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Lansing. "We are excited to be working with MSU and the students. Students support Habitat's work both locally, nationally and worldwide."

Involving students in outreach and community development activities is fundamental to the MSU experience.

"At MSU, service and community engagement are part of the academic experience. In fact, MSU has the oldest continuously operating service learning center in the country," said Karen McKnight Casey, director of MSU's Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. "MSU was approached by Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corporation to partner in this first on-campus build of a Habitat house because of our strong commitment to and engagement with community. MSU students will not only give through their participation in this tangible representation of campus to community connections, but also will gain in their knowledge and understanding of civic responsibility."

A presentation of the keys to the new homeowners is planned to take place during the Oct. 16 MSU vs. Illinois Homecoming football game.

Interested student groups and individuals are encouraged to inquire about participation by visiting the MSU Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Web site, www.servicelearning.msu.edu, or by contacting the CSLCE at servlrn@msu.edu. For more, visit www.whirlpool.com/habitat or www.facebook.com/whirlpoolbuildingblocks.

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