Amanda Williamson and Marissa Hodge were enjoying the camaraderie with their fellow students at the Jefferson College of Health Sciences student wellness and health event.

The daylong event Sept. 5 promoted student organizations and emphasized personal fitness for the students.

For Williamson, 20, and first-year nursing major Hodge, 22, the message of the event was simple.

"We're trying to promote eating healthy and getting off your butt," said Williamson, a health care management major.

The two were among the students and staff of the Jefferson College of Health Sciences who participated in the health fair, a collaboration of Jefferson assistant professor Stacey Lilley and Scott Hill, student activities director.

Lilley developed the idea for a wellness center, and Hill was planning a one-day affair to promote the school's student organizations.

The two decided to work together to have one event for the students.

"We're encouraging them to take care of themselves while they take care of other people," Lilley said.

Among the activities were free massages at the Kirk Family YMCA, a barbecue at the school's Fralin House and sponsored memberships for students to the YMCA and Zoom Fitness on the Go gym.

"As we do more for our students, they will do more for our community," said Carol Seavor, president of the school.

Seavor said the program was one of the school's first steps toward establishing a curriculum.

Health fairs, along with other community events, are in the works for the school, Seavor said, and this program is only the beginning for the school's growth.

Seavor motioned across the street from the school's Fralin House to Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital and pointed to a section of the facility that will be transformed into labs and classrooms for the school.

The college president said the school will increase faculty and staff and add classes.

She said sometimes the people at the college feel as if the public doesn't know they exist, but with the college's growth, she said people will see their institution as another "vibrant, viable college."

"It will only get more effective," Seavor said. "This is only step one."

For now, both Williamson and Hodge are pleased with the new programs offered at the school and plan to have more volunteer events in the community.

Hodge plans to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, and Williamson said she is helping other students organize their work as they push for more community involvement.

"In order to go out and help the community, we have to get our community together," Williamson said.

"The community starts here."