Alumni Spotlight: Mike Loeffelman (Education ‘05) and Andrew McCormick (College ‘05)
Andrew (left) and Mike (right) on a trip abroad together in 2007.
Mike Loeffelman is a champion for college volunteer experiences. With more than twenty years of experience as a practitioner scholar of college service models and initiatives, Mike has spent time on university campuses as both student and service office staff.
Mike believes that engaging in service is a way to explore and uncover passions and interests that can lead to a wide range of benefits, including professional opportunities, lifelong avocation, and personal growth. “Career exploration, altruism, reflection–the list of benefits is ginormous,” he says. “You even gain benefits you may not realize on the front end.”
According to Mike, one of the greatest advantages of service is meeting new people. In fact, a highlight of Mike’s time at UVA was the close bond he developed with fellow student and Madison House volunteer Andrew McCormick.
Mike and Andrew met at a Madison House back-to-school picnic and became fast friends. They have stayed in touch over the years and attended each other’s weddings. Andrew’s wife, Amanda, was also a Madison House volunteer.
“The three of us had so many tremendous memories and laughs,” Andrew recalls.
Mike and Andrew note that they also have been there for each other through challenging times. Mike had a double lung transplant in early 2021 as Amanda was fighting Stage IV cancer. They are both doing much better today, but Andrew shares that there were worrisome times when they were able to lean on each other for support.
“Mike, [like me], turns to humor during challenging moments…and [we] tried to laugh through some crummy situations,” says Andrew.
Both Mike and Andrew found that their time at Madison House helped them build relationships and pursue passions that are lifelong journeys, and they have advice for college students contemplating what they want to do and who they want to be.
“Even though it may take a little while, be honest with yourself about your passions and be open-minded,” says Mike. He encourages students to explore all kinds of interests.
“I remember somebody a long time ago said to me that discovering what you don’t like is just as important as discovering what you do like,” Mike notes.
Andrew agrees with Mike wholeheartedly.
“Try to break out of your bubble,” says Andrew. “Volunteering through Madison House is the perfect way. You’ll be able to help and serve others, but they will do the same for you and you will emerge with a better understanding of this beautiful, but complicated, world.”
Do you have a story to share about your Madison House experience? We’d love to hear from you!