Course seeds students’ appreciation for environmental wellness

Physical and social activity are commonly known factors in improving wellness, but Northwest Missouri State University students got a unique experience this spring to help them with their environmental wellness, too.

Throughout the semester, students in Greg Kriewitz’s fitness and wellness course worked with Northwest’s landscape staff to plant seeds in the University’s greenhouse. Those seeds will eventually grow into bulb plants and mature for planting on the University campus, which is designated as the Missouri Arboretum.

Altogether, the students planted about 775 seeds. They also planted trees, spread mulch and assisted with installing support wires to help ensure the trees’ future health.

Anthony Audsley, a sophomore applied health major from Omaha, Nebraska, enrolled in the course to fulfill requirements for his major but realized life applications beyond the coursework – not to mention how to plant and care for a tree.

“This class helped me learn so much more about the human body and overall wellness,” he said. “I catch myself using the things I learned in class daily. Overall, Professor Kriewitz made the class fun and engaging.”

The fitness and wellness course sought to expose students to the eight essential concepts of the wellness model, which encompasses physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, financial and environmental fundamentals.

Kriewitz tries to give students real-life experiences in each of the eight concepts.  

“I believe the students now have a greater appreciation for the effort involved in maintaining the beautiful flower beds and grounds of our campus,” he said. “Many students told me it was a rewarding hands-on experience.”