Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Westminster College’s International Studies and First-Year programs will sponsor the College’s annual Alternative Gift Market, inviting the campus and local community to support charitable causes across the globe.
The market—taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in the Witherspoon Rooms of McKelvey Campus Center on Westminster’s campus—provides a way to give a gift that inspires change through regional and international service agencies.
In partnership with Alternative Gifts International, this year’s market will feature 17 student-supported causes, each represented through student-run tables, informational displays and research posters.
Shoppers can learn about a wide variety of initiatives, from providing clean water and education to communities in Africa, offering food and shelter to those in need in the U.S. and abroad, supporting health services like speech therapy and medical relief, empowering women through small business programs and promoting environmental sustainability and disaster relief around the world.
Students from three Inquiry courses and an International Studies class have spent the semester researching global issues and the countries connected to the causes they represent. At the market, each group will showcase a trifold display promoting their chosen cause along with a research poster highlighting their findings.
“Students benefit from this project because it connects what they’re learning in the classroom with real-world application,” said Dr. Michael Aleprete, professor of political science and coordinator of this year’s market. “They dive deeply into the global challenges their causes address and then use that knowledge to promote meaningful action through the market. It’s a powerful example of what a Westminster education strives to do—help students link learning with impact. And because most of these students are in first-year or introductory courses, they’re making that connection very early in their academic journeys.”
Attendees can also purchase Westminster Bee Company (WBC) honey at the market. WBC is a student-led business focused on selling honey produced at Westminster College’s bee apiary.
The Alternative Gift Market is open to the public. For more information, contact Aleprete at alepreme@westminster.edu or 724-946-7254.
