100 students had their hair cut or heads shaved in the Korman Quad April 16 to support children with cancer.

Drexel holds its first-ever Buzzing for Change event on campus

By: Josh Kurtz

Posted: 4/18/08

Drexel held its first-ever Buzzing for Change event in the Korman Quad April 16, where people shaved their heads, cut their hair or donated money in an effort to help children living with cancer.

Tentative totals for the event at Drexel included $6,400 raised, 69 buzz cuts and 31 haircuts, according to Kelsey Gold, a pre-junior majoring in chemical engineering and the president of Buzzing for Change at Drexel

"Buzzing for Change has a lot of potential at Drexel," Judah Ferst, president of the Buzzing for Change Foundation and the organization's founder, said.

Ferst said that Drexel is looking for more student-driven activities, and Buzzing for Change fits this mold.

Drexel's prime location in a major city and the fact that its co-op program could help with potential corporate sponsorships also made the college an attractive place to hold the event, according to Ferst. EMS, Bubble House, Papa John's and Hair Cuttery served as sponsor businesses for this year's event at Drexel.

Karleen Krenicky, a graduate student at Temple, a member of the Buzzing for Change Foundation Board, and advisor for Buzzing for Change at Drexel, said she first found out about the event through Ferst when the two were students at George Washington.

Krenicky said that she is pleased with having Drexel as a location for Buzzing for Change.

"Drexel is a great venue. We think there's a lot of growth potential here," she said.

Stylists from the Hair Cuttery were on site to administer the haircuts and buzz cuts. The hair cut will be donated to Locks of Love if it is between six and 12 inches in length; the hair will be used by children currently living with cancer.

The recently-crowned Miss Pennsylvania, Jessica Thompson, and Miss Teen Pennsylvania, Lindsay Dittbrenner, attended the event as well, assisting people who wanted to make monetary donations.

Thompson said she first heard about Buzzing for Change through the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. All the money from the event will go to the pediatric oncology center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"It's a really good idea. I like how it's on college campuses getting college kids involved," Thompson said.

She added that Buzzing for Change is the first event that she and Dittbrenner have attended since being crowned to their current posts two weeks ago.

The event began with Gold and Kristin Imhoff getting their hair cut. Imhoff is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering and the treasurer for Buzzing for Change at Drexel.

Among those who got their hair buzzed at the event was Jesse Breitbart, a student at Temple University.

Breitbart said he had participated in Buzzing for Change in the past at George Washington and was pleased that the event now had a location in Philadelphia. He originally heard about the event through his friendship with Ferst.

Breitbart said he did not have any reservations about getting his hair buzzed.

"I know it's a good cause; I want to show solidarity," he said.

Among those getting their hair cut were also many Drexel students.

"This is my first time at an event like this," Josh Rogoff, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering and a member of the Hillel Board, said.

Hillel was a co-sponsor of the event.

The Haverford College and Bryn Mawr College combined women's rugby teams also attended the event, and team members got their hair buzzed.

"[It's] definitely scary, but it feels pretty good," Jenna Yarkin of Haverford said. Yarkin was not a member of the rugby team but attended with the team.

The organizers of the event said they were very pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm.

"It's a lot bigger and more exciting than I could have ever hoped for," Gold said.

Ferst said he was pleased with the walk-up participants, as well as the presence of some Drexel administrators.

Buzzing for Change has previously taken place at George Washington University, and expanded this year to include Drexel, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.

In addition to the haircuts, buzz cuts and donations, the event featured performances by Fighting the Influence, Nobody Yet and the Drexel TrebleMakers, according to Gold. The event also included complimentary food, a raffle and other entertainment.