Rips, missing buttons and more mended at Repair Clinic

October 12, 2021 (Volume 45, Number 4)
Article by Peg West

At a previous Repair Clinic, a staff member in a blue jacket looks at an item of clothing with a student, who is dressed in a black jacket

person seated and mending a zipper while student looks on

Kathy Agee, science program coordinator for the Regional Math and Science Center, discusses a repair during a previous Repair Clinic.

Photo Credit: Valerie Hendrickson

The GVSU Repair Clinic returns this fall, with faculty and staff members bringing in their sewing machines and tools to fix students' clothing, backpacks or other items for free.

Academic advisors will also be on hand as a resource for students at the clinic, which is Tuesday, October 19, from 6-8 p.m. in the Holton-Hooker Living Center's multipurpose room.

"At this clinic, we hope to make our 400th repair and beyond," said Monica Johnstone, the clinic organizer who is also director of communications and advancement for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

"In addition to stopping by to get a backpack strap reattached, a rip sewn up or a button replaced, students should also keep us in mind for a free knitting lesson (with knitting needles and yarn to keep) or even an advising question," Johnstone said. "The faculty and staff volunteers love to know that they helped get something off a student’s mind so they can get on with learning."

For more information, visit the Repair Clinic website.