Ohio Men of Excellence Network builds homes and community connections
Ohio Men of Excellence Network students took part in a Habitat for Humanity project in Lancaster, Ohio, working together to build a home for a local family. The experience blended teamwork, service and practical learning, leaving a lasting impact on both the participants and the community.
Henry Gorsuch, '26 | December 19, 2024
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OHIO students spent Saturday, November 16, building a home in Lancaster, Ohio. The project was part of the Ohio Men of Excellence Network seminar class, a program in the Division of Diversity and Inclusion that supports leadership and community involvement. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Ohio, students worked on the roof of a house for a local family. This hands-on project gave them a chance to make a real difference while learning valuable skills.
About the program
The Ohio Men of Excellence Network supports male-identifying students at Ohio University. The program encourages leadership, academic success and community involvement. Students in the program take part in the INST 2900 seminar, where they connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
The Habitat for Humanity project reflects the program’s focus on building character and creating opportunities to give back. By stepping into leadership roles and working with others, students learn skills they can use in their careers and communities.
Ohio Men of Excellence Network students contribute to a Habitat for Humanity project in Lancaster, Ohio.
Project impact and program goals
The Habitat for Humanity project gave students in the Ohio Men of Excellence Network a chance to directly impact a local family’s life. Working alongside Habitat staff, they helped construct the roof of a new home.
This experience tied back to the program’s core mission: supporting male-identifying students by fostering leadership, service and personal growth. Projects like this teach skills that go beyond the classroom, preparing students to take on meaningful roles in their careers and communities.
By giving back to Lancaster, students also strengthened OHIO's connection to the region. The project served as a reminder of the positive changes possible when students, staff and partners work together.
Building skills and community
The Ohio Men of Excellence Network gives students opportunities to grow as leaders while giving back to their communities. Through projects like the Habitat for Humanity build in Lancaster, students gain hands-on experience that shapes their outlook on teamwork and service.
These experiences teach problem-solving and leadership skills while deepening the connection between the university and the surrounding region. For the students, the project wasn’t just about hammering nails or putting up a roof—it was about making a difference and learning how to work toward a common goal.