For most students, a typical day at the University might include classes, studying and talking to friends.
Charlie Walker, however, does all that and more - the RC junior can usually be seen at Hillel, at the offices of Project Serve, or at a rehearsal with the University Children's Theater.
Though he is involved in a range of activities, Walker's major time commitment is to Project Serve. "There are some weeks I'll put in 20 hours with Project Serve," he said.
Walker has previously taken part in Alternative Spring Break, a program that allows students to do community service over spring break, and he is now on the program's leadership team.
"I'm the special projects co-coordinator, on the Alternative Spring Break leadership team ... which is a new position this year," he said. "We've been doing a lot of different things, everything from creating a summer break program, to the selection process for Alternative Spring Break, to collaboration with other organizations, like the Black Volunteer Network, the RC and the 21st Century Program."
Walker said he is especially interested in planning the Alternative Summer Break program. "That's something that's really exciting. It's a way for more people to get involved."
In addition to Project Serve, Walker is also involved with a lesser-known campus group - the University Children's Theater.
"We put on shows for disadvantaged kids in the area, and write, direct and perform the shows ourselves. We've done shows for as few as 10 and as many as 300 kids," he said. "It's a lot of fun; it's a great stress release, in terms of practices and rehearsals. And the kids love it."
In what remains of Walker's spare time, he can often be found working on programs at Hillel.
"My participation in the Reform Chavurah and the Holocaust Conference planning committee has been very important for my Jewish identity on campus," Walker said. "Especially since I want to be a rabbi - at least for right now."
With a schedule like this, at the end of the day most students would be all too ready to go home and relax. For Walker, however, home has become another opportunity to be involved as a resident adviser in East Quad.
Walker described that experience as "phenomenal. It is tough, because when you walk in the building, you're on the job. But my hall is great - it's a big, fun hall with a lot of great people. And I've been in a lot of different roles."
As RC senior Maria Job commented, "I've worked with Charlie both as an RA and in Children's Theater. I work with Minority Student Services, and I always see him in the offices of Project Serve. I even went to Washington, to take part in the March on Washington, and I ran into him there, at a black-Jewish event.
"He's constantly doing things not just for the U-M community, but for outside communities - the Michigan community, the University community, the Jewish community," Job said.
One question that readily comes to mind is how Walker manages to find time for everything. He acknowledged this difficulty, but said, "I'm starting to manage my time better. I'm keeping a planner this year, which is a new thing for me."
As Job summed up Walker's level of commitment, "He always does extra things, and I have no idea how he does it."
And then there is a larger question - why do it at all?
Walker said that he began his campus involvement gradually. "I kind of got my feet wet and slowly got involved," he said. "I was trying to figure out what it was all about, and it became a natural progression. You hear about these great opportunities, and my problem is, I have a hard time saying no to them. But at the same time, I love it."
This is fortunate for the University, Job said.
"He's so involved and so caring - he's one of the most supportive RAs," she said. "Especially on this campus, that's something you don't see a lot - people who do things not for themselves, but for others."
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
East Quad RA Charlie Walker poses in the hall he manages.