DECATUR, Ill. 鈥 The fire prevention initiative, The Nick Project, returns to Millikin University鈥檚 campus on Wednesday, September 24, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Doug and Diane Oberhelman Center for Leadership Performance, located on the first floor of the University Commons.
The Nick Project is a fire prevention initiative started by Millikin University alumna Sophia Schwalbach 鈥19, MBA 鈥20 in the fall 2025 after the tragic loss of her brother, Nick, in June 2000, in a house fire.
The annual drive provides fraternities, sororities, and off-campus students with free fire safety equipment to help students plan to be safe.
The event will feature extinguisher demonstrations from CC Fire Equipment and speakers with local fire personnel about fire prevention and how to take quick action if there is an emergency. Millikin continues to partner with long-time supporter Libby鈥檚 Ace Hardware in Mt. 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 to attend.
Fire safety and prevention continue to be priorities in Millikin's residential spaces and are highlighted several times each year. For more information on The Nick Project, you can contact the Office of Campus Life at 217-424-6395 or campuslife@millikin.edu. For financial contributions to the annual fund, please contact Mandi Podeschi at 217-424-3506 or apodeschi@millikin.edu.
