DECATUR, Ill. – The fire prevention initiative, The Nick Project, returns to Millikin University’s campus on Wednesday, September 17, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Doug and Diane Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance, located on the first floor of the University Commons.
The Nick Project was started by Millikin alumna Sophia Schwalbach ’19, MBA ’20 in the fall of 2015. Sophia was only four years old when her brother, Nick Schwalbach, tragically lost his life in a fraternity house fire near Millikin's campus in June 2000. In 2017, the Nick Project held its first event to distribute fire safety equipment to Millikin students, and it quickly became a yearly tradition.
"I’m incredibly proud of how the Nick Drive has remained an integral part of the Millikin community. I look forward to many more years of this annual event, and more importantly, to hearing my brother’s name continue to be spoken on campus,” Sophia said. “There is still much work to be done to improve campus fire safety, and I’ve begun conversations about what the next chapter will look like. Stay tuned."
In 2024, Schwalbach was honored as Outstanding Young Philanthropist at the annual Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Do Something Great Awards for her work with the Nick Project. The Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award recognizes service by an individual or organization of individuals under age 40 who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the community through direct financial support, development of charitable programs, volunteerism, and leadership in philanthropy.
The Nick Project has provided fraternities, sororities, & off-campus students with fire safety equipment to help them plan for safety. Fire safety and prevention are priorities in Millikin's residential spaces and are highlighted several times each year.
The event will feature extinguisher demonstrations from CC Fire Equipment and how to take quick action if there is an emergency.
Millikin has also partnered with Kenney's Ace Hardware in Mount Zion to support the giveaway of fire safety items. While fire safety items are reserved for students, the event will be open to the public.
For more information on The Nick Project, contact the Office of Campus Life at 217-424-6395 or campuslife@millikin.edu. For financial contributions to the Millikin Annual Fund, please contact Mandi Podeschi at 217-424-3506 or apodeschi@millikin.edu.
