The fall semester is still two weeks from kicking off, but Marquette's community service planning is already heating up. 

The school announced today that its senior class will take part in the Home Fire Campaign on Tuesday, August 21st in conjunction with United Way of LaPorte County, Red Cross, and the Michigan City Fire Department. Led by local fire safety officials, the Class of 2019 will divide into groups and enter pre-approved, pre-discussed homes near campus and install smoke detectors. 

"The United Way of LaPorte County is grateful to our young leaders at Marquette for engaging our community in such an impacting way. These efforts save lives, and we hope to inspire more young leaders, students, and volunteers to work together to make our community the safest environment for everyone living, working, and playing in Michigan City," said David Sisk, director of corporate engagement for United Way of LaPorte County.

On average, seven people die every day from a home fire while another 36 are injured. Children and the elderly are most often victims of these disasters. Since its inception in 2014, the Home Fire Campaign has helped install over 1.4 million smoke alarms, saving nearly 500 lives in the process.

"Engaging in our community and walking the walk of our mission is what Marquette and its students are all about. Exposing our young people to this part of the curriculum changes lives," Marquette president James G. White remarked.

Marquette's first day of school is set for Monday, August 20th.