{"id":105637,"date":"2021-04-26T11:59:02","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T15:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=105637"},"modified":"2021-04-28T12:54:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T16:54:57","slug":"wright-state-student-coordinates-blue-hue-for-autism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2021\/04\/26\/wright-state-student-coordinates-blue-hue-for-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State student coordinates blue hue for autism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wright State has lit prominent buildings and entryways around the Dayton Campus blue to support autism awareness.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Wright State University Nutter Center typically glows green and gold at night, but in April it has been bathed in blue in support of autism awareness.<\/p>\n

Wright State has also added blue lights to the Student Union; White Hall, home of the Boonshoft School of Medicine; and both campus entrances along Colonel Glenn Highway in support of the campaign.<\/p>\n

Lighting the buildings blue was the idea of Sydney Hendricks, a junior elementary education major at Wright State. Three years ago, she asked Wright State\u2019s Facilities department to light prominent buildings on campus in blue at night to promote autism awareness.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though this has been happening for three years, it never gets old for me,\u201d said Hendricks. \u201cI think it\u2019s really heartwarming and touching.”<\/p>\n

Hendricks\u2019 passion for autism awareness comes from her younger brother and best friend Elijah, who is autistic. One of Hendricks\u2019 first jobs was providing therapy for children with autism at her brother\u2019s school. After graduation, she plans to teach preschool and help children with disabilities.<\/p>\n

Hendricks says the blue lights on campus continue to touch the lives of people around Dayton who are blessed to have people with autism in their families.<\/p>\n

Support for autism awareness also takes place throughout the Forest Ridge neighborhood in Riverside. This year, Hendricks passed out blue light bulbs to most of her neighbors so they can light up their porches.<\/p>\n

Hendricks says she\u2019ll continue to send an email every year to remind Wright State Facilities to Light It Up Blue.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year they add more blue,\u201d she said. \u201cIt keeps getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t