The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 4 – February 2009 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community. National Office Announcements Pericleans Attend AAC&U Conference in Seattle: From January 21-24, 46 representatives from 16 Periclean colleges and universities were in Seattle, Washington to attend the annual meeting of The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Pericleans presented 19 panels on a wide range of topics. A list of all of these panels is available here. Details on two of the panels are below. "Engaging Science in Our Global Future: Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program" ™ Jan Liss, Executive Director of Project Pericles, moderated a panel of three Periclean faculty who received Civic Engagement Course Grants. Entitled "Engaging Science in Our Global Future: Project Pericles' Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program", the panel focused on science courses that encourage faculty to develop, teach, and evaluate courses that incorporate civic engagement. The session focused on pragmatics, challenges, and successes of curricular implementation. While global public policy issues are increasingly addressed in social science and humanities courses, it is rarer that science curricula incorporate the socio-economic, political, and scientific causes and implications. The panel - Adrian Hightower, Assistant Professor of Physics, Occidental College; Ammini Moorthy, Professor of Biology, Wagner College; and Caryl Waggett, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Allegheny College brought to life the excitement and possibilities of incorporating civic engagement in the science curriculum. The PDF of the presentation is available here. Dr. Hightower discussed developing and teaching the CEC course "Energy Conversions and Resources" that introduced students to the physics of energy conversion and its application to global energy resources. The students recognized and quantified energy conversion processes important to industrial societies and learned how to do energy audits for community partners. The success of the community engagement was measured by the degree to which community partners adopted recommendations of the student projects. Dr. Moorthy discussed the CEC course "The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of the GENOME Project" that was co-created and co-taught with John Esser, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Wagner. This course examined the scientific concepts and basic research that underlie the decoding of the human genome and explored the resulting biomedical revolution that has created a need for answers to questions such as what we can and should do with genomic research. Students proposed alternative solutions and advocated their views in front of a critical audience. Dr. Waggett discussed the creation of a curriculum at Allegheny that has integrated environmental and public health issues into 46 Allegheny courses in 15 departments in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The curriculum was co-developed and co-taught in a unique four-course collaboration by Waggett and Ron Cole, Associate Professor of Geology; Melissa Comber, Assistant Professor of Public Policy; and Vesta Silva Assistant Professor of Communication Arts. Four courses - "Physical Geology", "Rhetoric and Civic Engagement", "Environmental Problem Solving", and "Health Policy" were taught concurrently by different faculty with different students. Throughout the semester students from the different classes would work together on projects and attend cross-course lectures. The faculty who presented represented three of the 44 grants that were given to faculty at 16 Periclean colleges and universities to develop, teach, and evaluate courses that incorporated civic engagement. Many thanks to The Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation and the Teagle Foundation for supporting the 2007-2009 Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program. "Small Budgets, Big Impact: How to Leverage Networks, Partners, and Creativity for Major Project Success" Allyson Lowe, the Project Pericles Program Director at Chatham University, and Mary Whitney of Chatham led a session at AAC&U on the value of community partnerships for "creating meaningful experiences for students and the community with small budgets, while still having significant, purposeful impact." The workshop examined the challenges of balancing cost against outcome in the co-curricular arena. The session, entitled "Small Budgets, Big Impact: How to Leverage Networks, Partners, and Creativity for Major Project Success" used examples from Chatham's PA Center for Women Politics and Public Policy in creating and funding the Ready to be Heard Advocacy Training and securing a small grant with a community partner for this past autumn's Voice Your Vote electoral mobilization efforts in communities of young women of color. Periclean FocusIn January, students, faculty, administrators, and community members from all 22 Periclean colleges and universities came together in a variety of forums to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In this month's Periclean Focus, we highlight five exciting inaugural activities that Pericleans undertook. Swarthmore College Hosts "Fireside Chat" During Inauguration: Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change Professor George Lakey and Associate Professor Cynthia Halpern hosted a "fireside chat" on January 28: "Why We Need a Vision and Why We Need a Theory: What Obama Needs to Know." With 40 students in attendance, Lakey and Halpern gave their perspectives on the value of theory and vision for figuring out where our country should go from here, and then turned the reigns of dialogue over to the students. Student questions included: Given that large strides were taken by previous generations in lifting gender, racial, and sexual oppression, what is the cutting edge for today's generation of young adults? Are young people inclined to believe that providing services will somehow accumulate to handle poverty, or are they open to working for structural change and the creation of justice? What is the role of spirituality in envisioning "change we can believe in?" Lakey said, "The discussion was wide-ranging and marked not by trying to reach one conclusion but rather enjoying the experience of varied angles. Some students said afterward that they said things [tonight that] they never find space to say otherwise." The Art of Presidential Persuasion: For his first-year seminar on the "art of presidential persuasion" Allegheny College philosophy instructor George Byrnes used the inauguration of President Barack Obama as a learning tool. His students reviewed President Obama's inaugural address several times in relation to President Kennedy's inaugural address during an in-class discussion and reviewed a series of forum postings. Student discussions ranged from questions of content (e.g. should President Obama address the issue of terrorism in his speech?), to selecting from the advice of former presidential speechwriters (based on a New York Times article), to identifying ways that presidents define political reality through analogy or dissociation (based on concepts in a scholarly article), to performing a keyword analysis to identify rhetorical patterns or their absence. The goal of the seminar is to develop the written and oral communication skills of freshmen, with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Pace at the Inauguration: Professor Christopher Malone and 10 Pace University students took part in the Washington Center's Presidential Inauguration Seminar from January 10-21, 2009. This ten-day academic seminar provided a backstage view into the Presidential Inauguration and focused on the newly elected president and the formation of a new executive administration and the role of the media. Participants delved into the critical issues and events that surrounded the transfer of power and the political processes involved. They learned how the nation's newly elected leaders are responding to the results of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections. The seminar featured a combination of lectures, site visits, tours, and special events. Among these events was a reception at the U.S Chamber of Commerce with Bob Schieffer of CBS News and a performance by political humorist Mark Russell for program participants, alumni, and other friends and supporters of The Washington Center. Inauguration Watch at Widener: The Political Engagement Committee at Widener Universitysponsored an Inauguration Watch event. Over 350 viewers spread out across three dedicated viewing rooms to watch the inauguration. Four hundred additional students, faculty and staff members were able to watch the inauguration on the large screen televisions in the main cafeteria. Committee members developed and distributed educational materials at each venue filled with facts about inaugural history and questions to facilitate personal reflection and promote discussion. One highlight of the day took place in Lathem Hall, where over 100 Widener students and staff were joined to watch the inauguration by more than 100 third and fourth-grade students from the Widener Charter School and another local elementary school. The inauguration watch events received media coverage from Philly.Com. Wagner Students Attend Inauguration: Approximately 50 Wagner students attended the inauguration. As a follow-up, the Project Pericles program at Wagner College hosted an event on campus called "Assessing the Obama administration: What We Can Expect in Polity Changes." The first part of the event involved several students talking about their experience at the inauguration. The second part focused on a discussion of domestic and international policy changes. Political Science Professors Douglas Haugen and Patricia Moynagh, the Project Pericles Program Director at Wagner, moderated the event. Periclean News Rebecca Chopp Named New President of Swarthmore: Rebecca S. Chopp, president of Colgate University since 2002, will become the new president of Swarthmore College. Chopp will take over the Presidency from Al Bloom, who is leaving to run New York University's new campus in Abu Dhabi. President Bloom has been Swarthmore's president since 1991. Jonathan Veitch Named New President of Occidental College: Jonathan Veitch has been selected by the Occidental College Board of Trustees as Occidental's 15th president. He succeeds Robert A. Skotheim, who will retire on June 30. Veitch served five years as dean of Eugene Lang College: The New School for Liberal Arts in New York City, where he is currently an associate professor of literature and history. Prior to his service as dean (2003-08), Veitch served as the associate provost and chair of humanities at The New School, of which Lang College is a part. Richard Guarasci Recognized By President Clinton: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton recognized Wagner College President Richard Guarasci at the second annual Clinton Global Initiative University. Wagner was cited for the Port Richmond Partnership, an innovative program that will focus the school's community resources in an effort to improve the quality of life in a Staten Island neighborhood. According to Clinton, the Port Richmond Partnership builds upon "Wagner's extensive expertise and leadership in education and citizenship." (Wagner has been also named three times to the President's Community Service Honor Roll). Clinton added that the Partnership will help to provide services to a community that is bearing the brunt of today's economic crisis."It is an honor that the work we are doing here on Staten Island, in order to be good neighbors within this community, has been recognized with so many other meaningful commitments to service," said Guarasci. "This is a humbling recognition." The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) meeting was held February 13-15, 2009 at The University of Texas at Austin. CGI U builds on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting to engage college students and administrators to make commitments to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions. Swarthmore and Widener Partner on College Access Center in Deleware County: Cynthia Jetter'74, director of community partnerships at Swarthmore's Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, is a driving force behind the creation of a new center in Chester, Pennsylvania. that will provide free resources for students who are interested in pursuing their college education. "This is a personal thing for me," says Jetter, who grew up in Chester and attended Swarthmore after becoming one of the first participants in the College's Upward Bound program. "We can be a facilitator and warehouse for information. The diversity of resources we can bring is unique." The Center, the first initiative of the Chester Higher Education Council, provides everything from college and career awareness and study skills development to tutoring, mentoring, and assisting high school seniors and their parents with the college financial aid process. It is anticipated that it will serve 1,000 youths and adults in its first year through school-based programs, and at community workshops held at the center and at neighborhood sites. The Council is a nonprofit organization formed by the presidents of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Delaware County Community College, Neumann College, Penn State Brandywine, Swarthmore College, and Widener University. In addition, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will provide $100,000 in funding for the Center's first year of operation. "The generosity of the schools is overwhelming," adds Jetter, who will devote 25 percent of her time to overseeing the Center. "We've all been doing this work separately for years. This brings everything together in one place." St. Mary's Recognized as Greenest College in Maryland: In recognition of St. Mary's College of Maryland's commitment to green building initiatives and environmental leadership, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have cited the college for innovative, sustainable environmental practices and leadership in building design. St. Mary's College of Maryland is the only college in Maryland to receive the EPA Green Power Leadership Club award and the first four-year residential college in Maryland to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Awards from both organizations were presented to President Maggie O'Brien at a State House alumni reception in Annapolis. St. Mary's Polar Bear Plunge: St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) students, faculty, and staff plunged into the 39 degree St. Mary's River during this year's Third Polar Bear Plunge on February 12. The annual Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) sponsored event at the college produced even more environmentalists this year in an effort to raise awareness about climate change, bringing out over 150 swimmers and one student wearing a polar bear costume. Nearly 200 observers cheered on the participants as they swam in the cold waters. This year, SEAC raised thousands of dollars in donations to send SMCM students to PowerShift '09 in Washington, D.C., the national youth summit committed to solving the climate crisis. PowerShift '09 aims to bring together more than ten thousand youth leaders from across the country in order to share ideas, learn new skills, make connections, and establish a national voice against global warming. Last year, over fifty St. Mary's students attended Powershift. Conferences and Fellowships The 15th Annual Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) conference, hosted by Widener University from October 11-13, 2009, will focus on "Building Community Resiliency: The Role of University Leadership." The term "distressed" is frequently used in describing the urban environments in which many metropolitan universities are situated. This conference will explore how universities can promote a strengths-based approach to partnering with their communities to nurture community resiliency. Community resiliency depends on social capital, as well as the interactions and engagement among community members to achieve common goals. This conference will provide a forum for faculty, students, and administrators to share ideas, experiences, and recommendations about the leadership role that metropolitan universities can assume in promoting community resiliency. The meeting will include plenary sessions, paper presentations, special topic panels, roundtables, poster sessions and student presentations on a wide range of topics including: strengths-based approaches; educational infrastructure; environmental threats and remediation; wellness and public health; social capital; economic/business development; and impact assessment. Proposal Submission Guidelines: Individuals may submit proposals for paper presentations, panel discussions, or poster displays. Consistent with the conference theme, the content should relate to institutional commitments by urban and metropolitan universities to drive progress in their regional communities. Complete information about proposal submissions can be viewed here. Submission deadline: April 17, 2009 Jenzabar Foundation Announces Call for Nominations for Higher Education Student Leadership Awards The Jenzabar Foundation has announced its second annual Student Leadership Awards. The awards will recognize seven student groups -- and their respective leaders -- that have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference through community service and/or humanitarian endeavors either in the United States or globally. The 2009 Student Leadership Awards will provide grants in recognition of achievements in the following categories: local community support to individuals or groups that are underserved by existing community resources; international humanitarian efforts; campus ministry programs that reach beyond campus boundaries; education outreach to groups or individuals not enrolled in the institution; environmental protection, natural resource management, alternative energy promotion or climate/habitat awareness; health care provision or awareness; and issue advocacy targeted to local, state, or federal governments. Nominations are open for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education and can be submitted by individuals, educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations that have produced work consistent with the foundation's mission to recognize and support the good works and humanitarian efforts of student leaders serving others across the globe. Criteria and nomination process information are available at the Jenzabar Foundation Web site. Submission deadline: March 29, 2009 The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 4 – February 2009 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community. National Office Announcements Pericleans Attend AAC&U Conference in Seattle: From January 21-24, 46 representatives from 16 Periclean colleges and universities were in Seattle, Washington to attend the annual meeting of The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). Pericleans presented 19 panels on a wide range of topics. A list of all of these panels is available here. Details on two of the panels are below. "Engaging Science in Our Global Future: Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program" ™ Jan Liss, Executive Director of Project Pericles, moderated a panel of three Periclean faculty who received Civic Engagement Course Grants. Entitled "Engaging Science in Our Global Future: Project Pericles' Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program", the panel focused on science courses that encourage faculty to develop, teach, and evaluate courses that incorporate civic engagement. The session focused on pragmatics, challenges, and successes of curricular implementation. While global public policy issues are increasingly addressed in social science and humanities courses, it is rarer that science curricula incorporate the socio-economic, political, and scientific causes and implications. The panel - Adrian Hightower, Assistant Professor of Physics, Occidental College; Ammini Moorthy, Professor of Biology, Wagner College; and Caryl Waggett, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Allegheny College brought to life the excitement and possibilities of incorporating civic engagement in the science curriculum. The PDF of the presentation is available here. Dr. Hightower discussed developing and teaching the CEC course "Energy Conversions and Resources" that introduced students to the physics of energy conversion and its application to global energy resources. The students recognized and quantified energy conversion processes important to industrial societies and learned how to do energy audits for community partners. The success of the community engagement was measured by the degree to which community partners adopted recommendations of the student projects. Dr. Moorthy discussed the CEC course "The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of the GENOME Project" that was co-created and co-taught with John Esser, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Wagner. This course examined the scientific concepts and basic research that underlie the decoding of the human genome and explored the resulting biomedical revolution that has created a need for answers to questions such as what we can and should do with genomic research. Students proposed alternative solutions and advocated their views in front of a critical audience. Dr. Waggett discussed the creation of a curriculum at Allegheny that has integrated environmental and public health issues into 46 Allegheny courses in 15 departments in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The curriculum was co-developed and co-taught in a unique four-course collaboration by Waggett and Ron Cole, Associate Professor of Geology; Melissa Comber, Assistant Professor of Public Policy; and Vesta Silva Assistant Professor of Communication Arts. Four courses - "Physical Geology", "Rhetoric and Civic Engagement", "Environmental Problem Solving", and "Health Policy" were taught concurrently by different faculty with different students. Throughout the semester students from the different classes would work together on projects and attend cross-course lectures. The faculty who presented represented three of the 44 grants that were given to faculty at 16 Periclean colleges and universities to develop, teach, and evaluate courses that incorporated civic engagement. Many thanks to The Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation and the Teagle Foundation for supporting the 2007-2009 Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant Program. "Small Budgets, Big Impact: How to Leverage Networks, Partners, and Creativity for Major Project Success" Allyson Lowe, the Project Pericles Program Director at Chatham University, and Mary Whitney of Chatham led a session at AAC&U on the value of community partnerships for "creating meaningful experiences for students and the community with small budgets, while still having significant, purposeful impact." The workshop examined the challenges of balancing cost against outcome in the co-curricular arena. The session, entitled "Small Budgets, Big Impact: How to Leverage Networks, Partners, and Creativity for Major Project Success" used examples from Chatham's PA Center for Women Politics and Public Policy in creating and funding the Ready to be Heard Advocacy Training and securing a small grant with a community partner for this past autumn's Voice Your Vote electoral mobilization efforts in communities of young women of color. Periclean FocusIn January, students, faculty, administrators, and community members from all 22 Periclean colleges and universities came together in a variety of forums to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In this month's Periclean Focus, we highlight five exciting inaugural activities that Pericleans undertook. Swarthmore College Hosts "Fireside Chat" During Inauguration: Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change Professor George Lakey and Associate Professor Cynthia Halpern hosted a "fireside chat" on January 28: "Why We Need a Vision and Why We Need a Theory: What Obama Needs to Know." With 40 students in attendance, Lakey and Halpern gave their perspectives on the value of theory and vision for figuring out where our country should go from here, and then turned the reigns of dialogue over to the students. Student questions included: Given that large strides were taken by previous generations in lifting gender, racial, and sexual oppression, what is the cutting edge for today's generation of young adults? Are young people inclined to believe that providing services will somehow accumulate to handle poverty, or are they open to working for structural change and the creation of justice? What is the role of spirituality in envisioning "change we can believe in?" Lakey said, "The discussion was wide-ranging and marked not by trying to reach one conclusion but rather enjoying the experience of varied angles. Some students said afterward that they said things [tonight that] they never find space to say otherwise." The Art of Presidential Persuasion: For his first-year seminar on the "art of presidential persuasion" Allegheny College philosophy instructor George Byrnes used the inauguration of President Barack Obama as a learning tool. His students reviewed President Obama's inaugural address several times in relation to President Kennedy's inaugural address during an in-class discussion and reviewed a series of forum postings. Student discussions ranged from questions of content (e.g. should President Obama address the issue of terrorism in his speech?), to selecting from the advice of former presidential speechwriters (based on a New York Times article), to identifying ways that presidents define political reality through analogy or dissociation (based on concepts in a scholarly article), to performing a keyword analysis to identify rhetorical patterns or their absence. The goal of the seminar is to develop the written and oral communication skills of freshmen, with an emphasis on persuasive communication in an academic context. Pace at the Inauguration: Professor Christopher Malone and 10 Pace University students took part in the Washington Center's Presidential Inauguration Seminar from January 10-21, 2009. This ten-day academic seminar provided a backstage view into the Presidential Inauguration and focused on the newly elected president and the formation of a new executive administration and the role of the media. Participants delved into the critical issues and events that surrounded the transfer of power and the political processes involved. They learned how the nation's newly elected leaders are responding to the results of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections. The seminar featured a combination of lectures, site visits, tours, and special events. Among these events was a reception at the U.S Chamber of Commerce with Bob Schieffer of CBS News and a performance by political humorist Mark Russell for program participants, alumni, and other friends and supporters of The Washington Center. Inauguration Watch at Widener: The Political Engagement Committee at Widener Universitysponsored an Inauguration Watch event. Over 350 viewers spread out across three dedicated viewing rooms to watch the inauguration. Four hundred additional students, faculty and staff members were able to watch the inauguration on the large screen televisions in the main cafeteria. Committee members developed and distributed educational materials at each venue filled with facts about inaugural history and questions to facilitate personal reflection and promote discussion. One highlight of the day took place in Lathem Hall, where over 100 Widener students and staff were joined to watch the inauguration by more than 100 third and fourth-grade students from the Widener Charter School and another local elementary school. The inauguration watch events received media coverage from Philly.Com. Wagner Students Attend Inauguration: Approximately 50 Wagner students attended the inauguration. As a follow-up, the Project Pericles program at Wagner College hosted an event on campus called "Assessing the Obama administration: What We Can Expect in Polity Changes." The first part of the event involved several students talking about their experience at the inauguration. The second part focused on a discussion of domestic and international policy changes. Political Science Professors Douglas Haugen and Patricia Moynagh, the Project Pericles Program Director at Wagner, moderated the event. Periclean News Rebecca Chopp Named New President of Swarthmore: Rebecca S. Chopp, president of Colgate University since 2002, will become the new president of Swarthmore College. Chopp will take over the Presidency from Al Bloom, who is leaving to run New York University's new campus in Abu Dhabi. President Bloom has been Swarthmore's president since 1991. Jonathan Veitch Named New President of Occidental College: Jonathan Veitch has been selected by the Occidental College Board of Trustees as Occidental's 15th president. He succeeds Robert A. Skotheim, who will retire on June 30. Veitch served five years as dean of Eugene Lang College: The New School for Liberal Arts in New York City, where he is currently an associate professor of literature and history. Prior to his service as dean (2003-08), Veitch served as the associate provost and chair of humanities at The New School, of which Lang College is a part. Richard Guarasci Recognized By President Clinton: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton recognized Wagner College President Richard Guarasci at the second annual Clinton Global Initiative University. Wagner was cited for the Port Richmond Partnership, an innovative program that will focus the school's community resources in an effort to improve the quality of life in a Staten Island neighborhood. According to Clinton, the Port Richmond Partnership builds upon "Wagner's extensive expertise and leadership in education and citizenship." (Wagner has been also named three times to the President's Community Service Honor Roll). Clinton added that the Partnership will help to provide services to a community that is bearing the brunt of today's economic crisis."It is an honor that the work we are doing here on Staten Island, in order to be good neighbors within this community, has been recognized with so many other meaningful commitments to service," said Guarasci. "This is a humbling recognition." The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) meeting was held February 13-15, 2009 at The University of Texas at Austin. CGI U builds on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting to engage college students and administrators to make commitments to address global issues with practical, innovative solutions. Swarthmore and Widener Partner on College Access Center in Deleware County: Cynthia Jetter'74, director of community partnerships at Swarthmore's Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, is a driving force behind the creation of a new center in Chester, Pennsylvania. that will provide free resources for students who are interested in pursuing their college education. "This is a personal thing for me," says Jetter, who grew up in Chester and attended Swarthmore after becoming one of the first participants in the College's Upward Bound program. "We can be a facilitator and warehouse for information. The diversity of resources we can bring is unique." The Center, the first initiative of the Chester Higher Education Council, provides everything from college and career awareness and study skills development to tutoring, mentoring, and assisting high school seniors and their parents with the college financial aid process. It is anticipated that it will serve 1,000 youths and adults in its first year through school-based programs, and at community workshops held at the center and at neighborhood sites. The Council is a nonprofit organization formed by the presidents of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Delaware County Community College, Neumann College, Penn State Brandywine, Swarthmore College, and Widener University. In addition, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania will provide $100,000 in funding for the Center's first year of operation. "The generosity of the schools is overwhelming," adds Jetter, who will devote 25 percent of her time to overseeing the Center. "We've all been doing this work separately for years. This brings everything together in one place." St. Mary's Recognized as Greenest College in Maryland: In recognition of St. Mary's College of Maryland's commitment to green building initiatives and environmental leadership, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) have cited the college for innovative, sustainable environmental practices and leadership in building design. St. Mary's College of Maryland is the only college in Maryland to receive the EPA Green Power Leadership Club award and the first four-year residential college in Maryland to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Awards from both organizations were presented to President Maggie O'Brien at a State House alumni reception in Annapolis. St. Mary's Polar Bear Plunge: St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) students, faculty, and staff plunged into the 39 degree St. Mary's River during this year's Third Polar Bear Plunge on February 12. The annual Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) sponsored event at the college produced even more environmentalists this year in an effort to raise awareness about climate change, bringing out over 150 swimmers and one student wearing a polar bear costume. Nearly 200 observers cheered on the participants as they swam in the cold waters. This year, SEAC raised thousands of dollars in donations to send SMCM students to PowerShift '09 in Washington, D.C., the national youth summit committed to solving the climate crisis. PowerShift '09 aims to bring together more than ten thousand youth leaders from across the country in order to share ideas, learn new skills, make connections, and establish a national voice against global warming. Last year, over fifty St. Mary's students attended Powershift. Conferences and Fellowships The 15th Annual Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) conference, hosted by Widener University from October 11-13, 2009, will focus on "Building Community Resiliency: The Role of University Leadership." The term "distressed" is frequently used in describing the urban environments in which many metropolitan universities are situated. This conference will explore how universities can promote a strengths-based approach to partnering with their communities to nurture community resiliency. Community resiliency depends on social capital, as well as the interactions and engagement among community members to achieve common goals. This conference will provide a forum for faculty, students, and administrators to share ideas, experiences, and recommendations about the leadership role that metropolitan universities can assume in promoting community resiliency. The meeting will include plenary sessions, paper presentations, special topic panels, roundtables, poster sessions and student presentations on a wide range of topics including: strengths-based approaches; educational infrastructure; environmental threats and remediation; wellness and public health; social capital; economic/business development; and impact assessment. Proposal Submission Guidelines: Individuals may submit proposals for paper presentations, panel discussions, or poster displays. Consistent with the conference theme, the content should relate to institutional commitments by urban and metropolitan universities to drive progress in their regional communities. Complete information about proposal submissions can be viewed here. Submission deadline: April 17, 2009 Jenzabar Foundation Announces Call for Nominations for Higher Education Student Leadership Awards The Jenzabar Foundation has announced its second annual Student Leadership Awards. The awards will recognize seven student groups -- and their respective leaders -- that have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference through community service and/or humanitarian endeavors either in the United States or globally. The 2009 Student Leadership Awards will provide grants in recognition of achievements in the following categories: local community support to individuals or groups that are underserved by existing community resources; international humanitarian efforts; campus ministry programs that reach beyond campus boundaries; education outreach to groups or individuals not enrolled in the institution; environmental protection, natural resource management, alternative energy promotion or climate/habitat awareness; health care provision or awareness; and issue advocacy targeted to local, state, or federal governments. Nominations are open for students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education and can be submitted by individuals, educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations that have produced work consistent with the foundation's mission to recognize and support the good works and humanitarian efforts of student leaders serving others across the globe. Criteria and nomination process information are available at the Jenzabar Foundation Web site. Submission deadline: March 29, 2009 The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe or submit Periclean-related information for publication, email [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Chatham University • Dillard University • Elon University • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 3 – December 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements Program Directors Meeting Held at Occidental and Pitzer: November kicked off with our annual Program Directors' Conference on the beautiful campuses of Occidental College and Pitzer College. For two days, Program Directors from Periclean campuses met to discuss issues of common concern. The first day at Occidental College featured a panel organized by Maria Avila, the Project Pericles Program Director at Occidental. "The Community Organizing Approach to Institutionalizing Civic Engagement". The panel included students, faculty, alumni, and community members who had participated in civic engagement programs at Occidental. The second day, at Pitzer College, began with a discussion organized by Amara Geffen, Program Director at Allegheny College. "Civic Engagement, Curriculum, and Community: Engaging Faculty" highlighted the partnership between Allegheny Collegeand the town of Meadville, PA that has resulted in economic revitalization projects including "Read Between the Signs", a 1200' x 9' sculptural relief made of discarded road signs and featuring solar- and wind-powered kinetic components. Following this presentation, Pitzer students and faculty led a discussion on their study abroad programs and community service projects. Additionally, David Scobey, the Program Director at Bates College, led a timely discussion on "Tenure, Promotion, and Support for the Engaged Faculty". At the end of the conference, Program Directors met in three groups to consider and develop a strategy for moving forward in 2009. One group focused on "Collaboration" and discussed a variety of ways that Pericleans can collaborate, including video conferencing, campus exchange programs, and alternative spring break programs. The group is exploring project funding options . Another group focused on "Capturing the Election Excitement on Campus." The final group focused on "Project Pericles and the National Civic Engagement Agenda" discussing policy options that the Obama Administration might consider to advance civic engagement. Throughout the conference, attendees discussed future Periclean programming including the Debating for Democracy (D4D) ™ program and the Civic Engagement Course (CEC) program and discussed ways to build on the success of these two programs. Based on the input we received at the conference, Project Pericles decided to develop another D4D on the Road program in the fall of 2009 and hold the second D4D National Event in New York in the spring of 2010. Project Pericles wants to thank everybody who helped make this conference such a success with special thanks to Occidental and Pitzer. D4D on the Road: D4D on the Road ™, a six hour political advocacy workshop sponsored by Project Pericles and the Spencer Foundation, has already visited 9 Periclean campuses (Wagner, Swarthmore, Berea, Elon, Bethune-Cookman, Occidental, Macalaster, Hampshire, and Chatham) and trained more than 300 students, faculty and community members from 18 Periclean campuses. The workshops, led by Christopher Kush of Washington D.C.-based Soapbox Consulting, teach students how to write letters to political leaders, analyze and debate public policy issues, and work with the news media. Students reflected on how to apply what they had learned on their respective campuses and received a copy of Kush's book, The One-Hour Activist. The next two workshops will be held in January at Spelman College and Hendrix College. The final workshop will be held at The New School in February. Associated with each workshop, participants are asked to apply what they learned at the workshop by engaging in an "action". Examples of these "actions" include:
Periclean FocusDuring the 2008/2009 academic year, the Periclean Focus will feature an article on civic engagement written by a Program Director at one of the 22 Periclean colleges or universities. This month's article is by David Scobey, the Program Director at Bates College. Civic Engagement in the Arts and Humanities-David Scobey At Bates, civic engagement in the arts and humanities is strongly represented in various types of public work pursued by faculty, students, and the Harward Center for Community Partnerships. A number of faculty at Bates, including me, have sustained a multi-year community-history partnership with Museum L-A, a local museum of work and community, with seminars, senior theses, and summer fellowships contributing to an oral history initiative and several exhibitions. Bates Dance Professor Carol Dilley has created an annual dance festival with the Franco-American Heritage Center, featuring both student and regional choreographers; the same heritage center is working with French majors and faculty on a Francophone film festival, an oral history initiative, and other projects. Some of these cultural projects are supported by grants from the Harward Center. Professor Joe Hall, for instance, won a Publicly-Engaged Academic Project (PEAP) grant to fund students work with the Wabanaki nation on archival and educational programs on Maine native American history. Another PEAP grant supported "Paint Your Heart Out," a partnership with a local medical center to do arts therapy with cancer patients; Bates' Olin Arts Center recently hosted an exhibition of the resulting work. Not all of the engaged work in the arts and humanities is developed or led by faculty. In Spring, 2008, Emma Halas-O'Connor ('09) and Anne Sheldon ('09) created a multi-media youth arts initiative called BALA (Bates Arts Lewiston Auburn), in which local high school students worked with Batesundergraduates in afterschool dance, visual arts, spoken word, and musical performances, producing a multi-media arts festival at the end of the school year. Periclean News Four Periclean Colleges and Universities Selected for 2008 Community Engagement Classification: On December 18, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced that four Periclean colleges were selected to the 2008 Community Engagement Classification. These colleges (Berea College, Occidental College, Swarthmore College, and Wagner College) received recognition for "Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships". These colleges join eight Periclean colleges and universities that received this classification in 2006 (Allegheny College, Bates College, Elon University, Pace University, Pitzer College, Rhodes College, Spelman College, and Widener University). For a list of all of the colleges and universities selected, please visit the Carnegie website Occidental Professor Wins "V to the Tenth" Award: Occidental College Assistant Professor Caroline Heldman's efforts to help rebuild the lives of women in post-Katrina New Orleans is being recognized by the V-Day Movement with an $8,000 "V To The Tenth" Leadership Award. An organization best known for its founder, Eve Ensler, and her production "The Vagina Monologues," V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls and promote creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence groups. Professor Heldman has been on the front lines since the first days following Hurricane Katrina, traveling to New Orleans with groups of students who participated in rescue and rebuilding efforts. She serves as director of the New Orleans Women's Shelter and works with Common Ground, a New Orleans-based grassroots relief organization. She was awarded a Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant to develop and teach the course "Disaster Politics in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina". The CEC grants are sponsored by the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, the Teagle Foundation, and Project Pericles. Chatham Appoints Sustainability Coordinator: Mary Whitney, a program specialist for the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University, was named the University's first Sustainability Coordinator. Whitney will co-chair the President's Climate Commitment Committee; analyze all current sustainability practices at the University; coordinate sustainability efforts at Chatham campuses; and develop sustainability practices and activities with students, faculty, and staff at Chatham. Mary Whitney has been active in Project Pericles programs including Debating for Democracy. "Running for Office: What About You?": Twenty Berea College students taking the course, "Women and African Americans in Politics" helped the League of Women Voters put on a workshop about running for office. Inspired by the recent Presidential election, the workshop drew 40 diverse and enthusiastic potential candidates who received advice and analysis from public officials and campaign strategists. Teams of students handled the publicity, made a presentation from the youth perspective, and prepared a handout on the diversity of state public officials. Pitzer Students Recognized for Winning Fulbrights: In 2008, Pitzer College received more Fulbright Fellowships per capita than any other college or university in the U.S. Pitzer College students and alums were awarded 11.5 Fulbright Fellowships per capita in 2008. Pitzer College 2008 Fulbright Fellows will study or teach in Cyprus, Germany, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Romania, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey. President Laura Skandera Trombley said, "I am excited and proud of our talented students and our faculty who have prepared them so well for these fantastic post-graduate opportunities. This is a further example of Pitzer College's continued excellence in its academic programs and international impact." Hendrix College Awards $71,000 in Odyssey Grants: Hendrix Collegehas awarded more than $71,000 in Odyssey Grants to students and faculty for experiential learning projects. The grants will allow Hendrix students to introduce the community to a garden in the heart of campus; present research at international conferences; assist with the birth of lambs; explore Roman Catholic architecture in Italy; and numerous other projects. Since the Odyssey Program's inception in the fall of 2005, the program has awarded more than $978,000 to support student and faculty projects. Spelman President Elected to Carnegie Foundation Board: In November, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Washington, D.C., elected Spelman College President Beverly Daniel Tatum to its board. A.C.T.S. Helps High School Students Explore College: The Project Pericles student organization initiative at Spelman College is Actively Changing Tomorrow through Service (A.C.T.S.). The program, based at Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, aims to unite the eight colleges and universities in the Atlanta area through community service and civic engagement to address health awareness, access to higher education, engagement in politics, change in social policies, and diminishment of poverty. In December, A.C.T.S. members visited local high schools and held workshops for high school juniors and seniors. A.C.T.S. members discussed the college experience; how to manage time; ways to avoid stress; the differences between private, public, and community colleges; how to prepare for the workplace; and the importance of community service. A.C.T.S. reached more than 500 high school students during this tour. Pace Implements Civic Engagement Core Curriculum: Student community work has reached unprecedented levels at Pace with the implementation of Pace University's core curriculum spearheaded by the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences in 2003. Currently Pace enrolls approximately 1300 students a year in 80 distinct Civic Engagement and Public Value courses. In 2007-2008, students generated over 32,000 hours of work in the community. These courses are offered across all disciplines, including the professional schools, and strive to contextualize disciplinary learning in a community context. All Civic Engagement and Public Values courses require community service. Some examples of Pace courses include:
Widener Alumnus Funds Leadership Institute: Widener University received a $5 million gift, the largest in the university's history, from alumnus and board of trustees Chair David W. Oskin to fund a leadership institute at the university. The Oskin Leadership Institute will provide opportunities for Widener undergraduate and graduate students to participate in leadership development activities, experiential learning, and international opportunities promoting the character, courage, and competencies to affect positive change throughout the world. Widener University President James T. Harris III and the Oskin Family announced the gift and the institute during the opening of the university's Sixth Annual Student Leadership Development Conference, which attracted more than 150 college and university student leaders from the greater Philadelphia region. Dillard Wins "Going Green Grant": Dillard University and Brown University received a $205,000 grant from Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) for their 'Going Green' partnership where both campuses have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the earth by recycling, reducing energy use, and educating students, faculty, and staff on global health. "The issue of climate and global change is very dear to me and getting this wonderful grant advances my cause for the university," said President Marvalane Hughes. "Climate change and caring for the environment are issues that, I believe, if not given proper attention, could result in serious consequences for all who inhabit planet earth." Hughes plans to use Dillard's portion of the grant money on the latest architectural and engineering innovations. All newly constructed buildings will have solar roofs and shades which control solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve natural lighting. Occupancy sensors will be installed in hallways, conference rooms, and classrooms. The sensors reduce the length of time lights are left on when an area is unoccupied. Fluorescent lighting and other energy saving devices will be installed as well. Brown University President Dr. Ruth Simmons, a Dillard alumna and member of the Project Pericles Board of Advisors, entered into a global partnership with Dillard after Hurricane Katrina. Simmons, her faculty, staff and students vowed to assist in the environmentally sustainable revitalization of Dillard'scampus. The campus sustained $400 million dollars in damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Elon Launches Sustainability Website: Elon University has launched a new website to provide an overview of its sustainability initiative. The site serves as a resource for the campus community to learn about sustainable practices and programs at Elon, to raise environmental awareness and participation, and to foster new ideas. "Students interested in sustainability will find information on how they can get involved on campus," said Elaine Durr, Elon's sustainability coordinator. Some features on the site include:
Conferences Featuring Project PericlesThe Council of Independent Colleges-2009 Presidents Institute: "Investing in the Future: Students, Institutions, and the Public Good" is being held January 4-7, 2009 in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Annual Meeting of The Association of American Colleges and Universities:" Ready or Not Global Challenges, College Learning, and America's Promise" is being held January 21-24, 2009 in Seattle, Washington.
The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe or submit Periclean-related information for publication, email [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 2 – November 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements D4D on the Road: D4D on the Road, a six-hour political advocacy workshop, has been a great success. In the past two months, D4D on the Road has visited 8 campuses. More than 250 Periclean students, faculty, and community members from 15 Periclean campuses have learned specific advocacy skills such as writing letters to political leaders, analyzing and debating public policy issues, and working with the news media. The workshops are led by advocacy expert Christopher Kush of Washington D.C-based Soapbox Consulting. At its conclusion, participants reflect on how to apply what they have learned on their respective campuses and receive a copy of Kush's book, The One-Hour Activist. D4D on the Road is generously supported by the Spencer Foundation. The next D4D on the Road workshop will be held at Chatham University on November 22. Workshops will also be held on January 24 at Spelman College and on January 30 at Hendrix College. A number of campus newspapers wrote stories on D4D on the Road. Below, are excerpts from several of these articles: "The event was well organized and enjoyable, led by some seasoned and charismatic activists. The workshops focused not on radical acts of protest, but on how to effectively seek political change through well-informed, concise, and respectful discourse with elected officials and the media." Scott Zuke, a student from St. Mary's College of Maryland, The Point News Online "Having those students (from St. Mary's College of Maryland, Ursinus College, and Widener University) there was really great. I liked the new perspective on activism from students on other campuses. It was also nice to meet new people." Elizabeth Crampton '09, Swarthmore College, The Phoenix "It's very action oriented. Today we moved beyond talking about activism. We engaged in practical, experiential learning - what you learn here can be applied to the world outside, be it in a student group, an activist cause, or just being a motivated citizen." Jennifer Magee, Associate Director of Student Programs at the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsiblity, Swarthmore College Website "I appreciated the opportunity to bring together like-minded people who are interested in becoming more involved citizens. It was great for students to interact with other passionate students and share ideas with one another." Professor Aaron Peeks, coordinator for Elon University's D4D program, E-Net Periclean FocusAccording to CIRCLE, about 22-24 million young Americans went to the polls last week up by at least 2.2 million from 2004. This month, the Periclean Focus features stories on the innovative political activities that took place on Periclean campuses that helped contribute to this record turnout. Periclean Connections to Obama and Biden: On November 4, Barack Obama, a former student at Occidental College, and Joe Biden, an adjunct professor at Widener University, were elected the 44th President and Vice-President of the United States. An article in the Boston Globe said, "Much has been made in this presidential campaign, both good and bad, of Obama's Ivy League pedigree, his bachelor's degree from Columbia University, and his law degree from Harvard. But it is during the two years Obama spent at Occidental, a small liberal arts school in Los Angeles, that he started on the path that has led to the Democratic presidential nomination." "Oxy, as it is affectionately known, nurtured his transformation," said the Globe. "By the end of his sophomore year, he was on his way to becoming a self-assured, purpose-driven scholar plotting a career in public service." Bethune-Cookman Students Vote Early: Bethune-Cookman University galvanized its get-out-the-vote effort on October 27, flooding one of the Volusia County early-voting sites with more than 1,500 students and faculty. "Our institution's founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, was one of many who struggled and sacrificed to make sure that women and African-Americans secured voting rights," said university President Trudie Kibbe Reed. "She stood up to the [Ku Klux] Klan right here in Daytona Beach at great risk to herself and her school. We undertook this effort in keeping with her legacy." A number of national media organizations including CNN covered this event. Click here to read more. Project Pericles Election Forums at Hendrix:The Hendrix College Forum, organized by the Project Pericles program at Hendrix, focuses on a topic announced only a few days in advance so as to maximize the currency of the topic. An informed facilitator frames the conversation and then quickly turns the spotlight to the members of the community to exchange their own views of the topic. The Forum is designed to encourage thoughtful and passionate, yet civil, discussion. On October 30, the forum focused on "Who Will Win Election 2008 and Why?" The question came from the students of Professor Mary Richardson's "Communication Analysis of Presidential Candidates' Nomination Acceptance Speeches" course (funded by a Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course grant). The students based their analysis on the candidates' political communication during the campaign, especially their convention nomination acceptance speeches. Students facilitated the discussion that followed. Debate Watch Kicks off at Widener: Widener University hosted three DebateWatch 2008 events on the Main Campus in Chester, Pennsylvania. Over two hundred students, faculty, staff members, and friends of the university attended at least one of the events. Following each debate, attendees discussed the issues and candidates' performances in small groups. Trained student and faculty facilitators helped spark conversation and engage discussion. Various student groups also contributed content for foreign policy and domestic policy information sheets distributed at the event. Professor James Vike, Project Pericles Co-Program Director and event coordinator, stated that "debate viewership has been shown to improve political learning, yet is unequal generationally. Getting young people to participate in events such as this will hopefully lead to more knowledgeable and engaged political citizens." Obama Visits Widener: Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., spoke to thousands of Pennsylvania residents at Widener University's Main Quad on October 28. President James Harris had extended an open invitation to Senator McCain and Senator Obama to appear at Widener University. St. Mary's Votes: This fall, students at St. Mary's College of Maryland are taking civic engagement into their own hands. Fifteen students worked with St. Mary's Votes!, an organization designed to increase student voter turnout. This organization, now in its fourth year, is associated with the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Under the leadership of seniors Sam Birnbaumand Jen Yogi, the group has submitted 209 absentee ballot requests and 59 new voter applications on behalf of students. St. Mary's Votes! also hosted three debate watching parties, each of which were attended by over 100 people (or about 10% of the college), and hosted a "Rock the Vote" student concert. St. Mary's Votes! is non-partisan, and its executive board includes leaders from the school's College Democrats, College Republicans, environmental action group, and student government association. On Election Day, these students staffed a shuttle service to the local polling station and worked as election judges in various Maryland precincts. Center Director and Project Pericles Program Director Michael Cain has worked with this group for the last two election cycles. Hampshire Students Discuss Voter Disenfranchisement: On October 24, 30 Hampshire Collegestudents attended a talk about current voter disenfranchisement and a screening of the documentary film, American Blackout. Aidan Kriese, a student organizer for Debating for Democracy (D4D), presented on current attempts to strategically deny people of color the right to vote. The event was sponsored by Community Partnerships for Social Change in anticipation of the election and to raise awareness about D4D and the November 7 D4D on the Road Workshop at Hampshire College. Pace Encourages Students, Faculty, and Community Members to Vote: Pace University initiated Pace Votes 2008 to encourage the participation of students, faculty, and staff in the election. This initiative included Voter Registration Training drives during First-Year Orientation, and Dorm Storms resulting in over 500 voter registrations. The campaign is now focused on how to maintain engagement past election day. Project Pericles at Pace partnered with the Chinatown Resource Center at Hamilton Madison Settlement House bringing together Chinese-speaking Pace faculty, Pace student volunteers, as well as representatives from the Asian-American Legal Defense Fund to register newly naturalized citizens. On September 19, Pace University in collaboration with Vote18.org traveled to Pleasantville High School to educate students about the importance of voting and participating in the political process. On October 15, Pace University held a "Meet the Candidates" forum on the Pleasantville Campus. Project Pericles has co-sponsored this event with the Organization for Chinese Americans for the last five years to encourage students and community members' awareness and engagement with those running local, state, and federal campaigns. Election Activities at New England College Kick Into High-Gear: The Political Science Club at New England College held debate watching parties during the three presidential debates and the vice-presidential debate. Seventy-five students, faculty and staff attended these debate watching parties. In addition to the debate parties, there were also two debates held on campus that were partially organized by New England College students. The first debate was between the candidates for the first congressional district in New Hampshire: Paul Hodes (D) and Jennifer Horn (R). The second debate was between U.S. senatorial candidates: John Sununu (R) and Jeanne Shaheen (D). New England College also held forums on democracy and gender and racial issues related to the 2008 election, had two very successful voter registration drives, and promoted internships on political campaigns and interest groups to students. Wagner Registers Voters and Hosts Forum on the 2008 Election: Students at Wagner Collegeregistered over 300 new voters this fall. The Project Pericles program at Wagner also sponsored a lecture series on the 2008 election. Lori Marso spoke on "What's at Stake for Women in the 2008 elections? A Feminist Perspective on Change, Freedom, and Choice." Bruce Cronin spoke on "A Foreign Policy in Shambles: Crises that Will Haunt the Next President", and Michaele Ferguson spoke on "Bitch is the New Black: Feminism and the Failure to Think Intersectionality about the Obama Campaign." Project Pericles also sponsored an essay contest on the theme "Who Would Make the Best President and Why?" Following up on the D4D on the Road workshop launched at Wagner in September, students showed the independent film 18 in '08 by David Burstein so that the larger Wagner community could benefit from its insights about what it means for young people to vote. Voice Your Vote Held at Chatham: In September, the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy at Chatham University teamed up with New Voices Pittsburgh to engage voters in the Voice Your Vote project, a non-partisan effort funded by the Three Rivers Community Foundation to cultivate the habits of citizenship and to enhance leadership skills among young women and women of color in underserved communities. The project also focuses on building a community partnership between a grassroots organization and a higher education institution for ongoing collaboration. Two Chatham students were chosen as paid interns for this project. Swarthmore Students Study Democracy: At Swarthmore College, professors Carol Nackenoff and Keith Reeves are expanding students' notions of the democratic process in their course "American Elections: Myth, Ritual and Substance." This course offers students a chance to examine the role of policy issues, candidate images, campaign advertisements, media, polling, marketing, and political parties in the American electoral process. Molly Weston '10, president of the Swarthmore College Democrats, coordinated the involvement of College Democrats and "Swatties for Obama" in the Barack Obama presidential campaign locally. Their activities include phone banking, canvassing, hosting televised debate events and voter registration drives both on campus and within the electorally important Philadelphia suburbs. Ellen Donnelly '10worked with Chester Community Charter School to host a mock election for 270 students on October 30. Ellen and her community partners hope this project will enhance civic competence, social responsibility, and the spirit of democracy among urban, low-income youth. Macalester Receives Political Engagement Grant: Macalester College received a $50,000 grant from the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation that will give Macalester students the opportunity to explore citizen engagement and engage in dialogue about politically related issues. Robin Ruthenbeck, associate director for campus programs, said she sees this as an opportunity to redefine what it means to be political so that it becomes something more than just voting. Helen Warren, director of the foundation relations department said that "the students who organized the debates are still in charge-the funds are intended to support student driven events." The grant brought former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack to Macalester on October 31. He spoke on the election and U.S. energy and environmental policy. "The election," Warren said, "presents a wonderful opportunity for faculty, students and visitors to examine the issues and political discourse." The grant will not support programs that endorse a candidate or a position. Periclean News Allegheny Focuses on Health: Designating the 2008-09 academic year as the "Year of Health," Allegheny College has begun a campus-wide effort to explore how health intersects with peoples' lives on a personal, community, and global scale. "At least 49 courses from the humanities and the natural and social sciences are incorporating some aspect of health during this academic year, addressing such issues as health disparities, access to health care, financing HMOs, politics of insurance, development and environmental health, personal wellness, physical and genetic contributions to disease, and how the media portray and contribute to health and disease," said Assistant Professor of Environmental Science Caryl Wagget, who is a member of the Year of Health planning committee. Professor Wagget is a recipient of a Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course Grant (CEC). Last spring, Professor Wagget taught "Integrating Environmental and Public Health into Allegheny Courses" as her CEC course. Spelman Students Start New Civic Engagement Organization: The Project Pericles student organization initiative at Spelman College is Actively Changing Tomorrow through Service (A.C.T.S.). The program, based at Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, aims to unite the eight colleges and universities in the Atlanta area through community service and civic engagement to address health awareness, access to higher education, engagement in politics, change in social policies, and diminishment of poverty. Spelman student Nakeita Stewart, a founder of A.C.T.S, was inspired to start A.C.T.S. after she attended the D4D National Conference in April. A.C.T.S. has a membership of over 60 students. The first A.C.T.S. initiative was launched on September 21 when A.C.T.S registered over 30 elderly citizens to vote. Twenty-three A.C.T.S members also donated to and participated in the Atlanta AIDS Walk on October 19. Eugene Lang College Scholar Named SENCER Fellow: Eugene Lang College Professor Katayoun Chamany, Associate Professor of Biology, has been selected as a 2008-2009 SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) Leadership Fellow by the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement. Professor Chamany is very active in Eugene Lang College's civic engagement initiatives and programs, and received a Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course Grant to teach the "Science and Politics of Stem Cell Research." During her 18-month appointment, Professor Chamany will expand her work in the area of stem cell biology and policy through a partnership with the New York Stem Cell Foundation, develop a statewide stem cell curriculum, and disseminate her efforts to reform biology education so that it is taught in socially and politically contextualized ways. SENCER is the signature program of the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement, a faculty development and science education reform initiative supported by the National Science Foundation. SENCER stimulates student engagement in science and mathematics through courses and programs focused on real world problems. This method extends the impact of student learning across the curriculum to the broader community and society. For more information on the SENCER program www.sencer.net. A total of 76 fellows were chosen from 1,300 eligible faculty members and academic leaders around the country. Resources and PublicationsContrary to popular belief, the problem with U.S. higher education is not too much politics but too little. Far from being bastions of liberal bias, American universities have largely withdrawn from the world of politics. So conclude Bruce L. R. Smith, Jeremy Mayer, and Lee Fritschler in a new book, Closed Minds? Politics and Ideology in American Universities,published by the Brookings Press. According to the summary published by Brookings, "Closed Minds? draws on data from interviews, focus groups, and a new national survey by the authors, as well as their decades of experience in higher education to paint the most comprehensive picture to date of campus political attitudes. It finds that while liberals outnumber conservatives within faculty ranks, even most conservatives believe that ideology has little impact on hiring and promotion. Today's students are somewhat more conservative than their professors, but few complain of political bias in the classroom." Conferences November 13-14, 2008 Occidental College and Pitzer College, California Project Pericles Program Directors' Conference This conference is an opportunity for Periclean schools to share information about program development and activities, network with fellow Pericleans, discuss current and future opportunities for collaborations, and inject new insights and ideas for future initiatives. December 12, 2008 New York City, New York Project Pericles Presidents' Council Meeting At this annual meeting, Periclean Presidents will share their perspectives on the development, implementations, and support of Project Pericles on their campuses. The Presidents' Council Meeting will be hosted by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe or submit Periclean-related information for publication, email [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 1 – September-October 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements D4D on the Road: At the conclusion of the Debating for Democracy (D4D) National Conference in April 2008, Project Pericles encouraged student leaders to return to their campus to educate their classmates and community about important policy issues, form coalitions, organize events, and advocate for their issue with elected officials. To support these student leaders, Project Pericles is holding day-long workshops, called D4D on the Road, at 11 Periclean campuses across the country during 2008/2009. Students, faculty, administrators, and community members from all twenty-two Periclean campuses will attend the workshops, promoting inter-campus dialogue and collaboration. The workshops are generously supported by the Spencer Foundation. The workshops are led by Soapbox Consulting a provider of training seminars, workshops, and lobby days for many national associations including the American Cancer Society, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Human Rights Campaign and others. Soapbox is headed by Christopher Kush, author of The One-Hour Activist. During the 6 hour workshop, participants learn how to analyze federal and state legislation, contact their elected officials and the news media and get involved in elections and public policy. "We are honored to partner with Soapbox Consulting and the 22 Periclean colleges and universities," said David Rippon, Assistant Director of Project Pericles. "The workshops provide hundreds of people across the country with the skills they need to influence candidates and elected officials before the election and in the long run." Information on registering for a workshop is available at www.projectpericles.org. D4D on the Road Schedule: September 26, Wagner College (The New School and Pace University), New York September 27, Swarthmore College (St. Mary's College of Maryland, Ursinus College and Widener University), Pennsylvania October 4, Berea College, Kentucky October 11, Elon University, North Carolina October 18, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida October 24, Occidental College (Pitzer College), California November 1, Macalester College, Minnesota November 7, Hampshire College (Bates College and New England College), Massachusetts November 22, Chatham University (Allegheny College), Pennsylvania January 24, Spelman College (Dillard University), Georgia January 30, Hendrix College (Rhodes College), Arkansas. Eugene M. Lang Honored as "Citizen of the Year": The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) recognized Eugene M. Lang, founder of Project Pericles, as its "Citizen of the Year" at its annual conference on September 22 at the National Archives in Washington, DC. NCoC Chairman Michael Weiser said the "Joseph Kanter Citizen of the Year Award is being presented to Eugene M. Lang to honor his lifelong commitment to civic participation. Eugene Lang is a shining example of what an individual citizen can do to strengthen our country." Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (retired) Sandra Day O'Connor gave the keynote at this year's conference. NCoC is a leading advocate for civic participation and the only organization in the U. S. chartered by Congress to do this work. Jan Liss Speaks at Bonner Foundation's Summer Institute: Allegheny College hosted the Bonner Foundation's 2008 Summer Leadership Institute in June. More than 300 students, faculty, and college administrators from across the country participated in the program, titled, "Summit on Political Engagement: Connecting Service to Politics and Politics to Service." National organizations involved in the institute included representatives from CIRCLE, Project Pericles, Mobilize.org, the Roosevelt Institution, and Teach for America. Jan Liss, Executive Director of Project Pericles, led a panel with Wagner College, alumna Katelyn Archer on student organizing. Jan and Katelyn discussed "10 Steps to Successful Organizing" including leadership development, media strategy, coalition building, and developing an effective message. Project Pericles Presents at American Democracy Project Conference: David Rippon, Assistant Director of Project Pericles, and Mary Bombardier, Program Director at Hampshire College, organized a panel at the American Democracy Project conference in June 2008. During the panel, "College and Nonprofit Collaborations: Campus-Based Initiatives for Increasing Political and Civic Engagement," David and Mary talked about how partnerships between Project Pericles and its 22 colleges and universities have led to new programs such as the Civic Engagement Course (CEC) Grant program and Debating for Democracy(D4D). The American Democracy Project is a multi-campus initiative focused on higher education's role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. The project is an initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), in partnership with The New York Times. Periclean FocusDuring the 2008/2009 academic year, the Periclean Focus will feature an article on civic engagement written by a Program Director at one of the Periclean colleges or universities. Res Politca--The New School and the Elections by Professor Joseph Heathcott John Dewey wrote that every generation must re-imagine democracy for itself. As one of the founders of The New School, Dewey understood intimately the power of educational institutions to contribute to this ongoing, ever-incomplete project. Today, the quadrennial rituals of national elections provide a perfect moment for faculty and students to take stock of the democratic project in all of its dimensions. To this end, the Office of Civic Engagement (OCE) at Eugene Lang College is sponsoring a range of events and opportunities for students, from courses and volunteer efforts to film screenings and speakers. For brevity's sake, I will report on just three of these opportunities. Through the Civic Engagement Course Grant program, the OCE is providing funds to support Professor David Plotke's popular undergraduate course on the 2008 elections. Students in his course are working in teams to gather data on electoral trends, monitor voter rights, analyze campaign rhetoric, and parse debates. Some will volunteer to work at polling stations, while others will undertake voter registration. While the OCE primarily works to build long-term community partnerships, now and then we also like to throw students into a 'trial by fire' as director of special projects Ella Turenne puts it. On August 26th, as part of the orientation activities for incoming freshmen and transfer students, we sent over 100 students out to busy public places in New York to register voters. The biggest lesson learned?--Registering voters is really hard work! But students overwhelmingly reported being energized by the experience and wanting to do more. In October, the OCE will hold a public screening of the documentary film "American Blackout" which examines the role of race in the past two elections. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion comprised of students and faculty, accompanied by audience response. This is just one of many events geared toward mobilizing the university community to participate in the 2008 elections. Periclean News Chatham's Project Pericles Highlights Election Issues in Weekly Lunch Series: This fall, Chatham University is presenting the Pericles Lunchtime Lecture Series: Elections 2008. Each week, a professor or expert in the community will discuss an issue related to the upcoming presidential election. From the economy, the environment, and healthcare to national security, the Patriot Act, and political advertising, this series presents issues so students can critically engage in the political process. The series concludes with a recap of the election results, analysis, and a panel of previous speakers giving their insights about the next administration and its policies. The first lecture featured Lindsay Patross on how students can get involved in elections online on Facebook and other social networking applications. The second lecture commemorated 9/11 with Dr. Karla Cunningham, the University's new Hillman Chair in Politics and supervisor of the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy. (Source: Allyson Lowe, Chatham University) Mellon Foundation Awards Macalester $1 Million for Curricular Innovation: Macalester Collegehas received $1 million from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop innovative curriculum in four interdisciplinary academic concentrations: Global Citizenship, Human Rights & Humanitarianism, Urban Studies and Community & Global Health. The grant, which will underwrite a three-year "Curricular Pathways Project," includes support for curriculum development, student research and internships, cultivation of civic engagement opportunities and faculty development workshops and seminars. (Source: Macalester College Communications Office) Celebrating Widener Pride with Watch Parties: The Widener community celebrated an evening of "Widener Pride Watch Parties". The parties, held August 27, were timed to celebrate the Widenerconnection to two speakers taking the stage before a national audience: Widener law alumnus U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) ('99) and long-time Widener adjunct professor Sen. Joe Biden, (D-Del.), who spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. (Source: Marcine Pickron-Davis, Widener University) Teagle Foundation Awards Student Learning Grant to Occidental College: The Teagle Foundation has awarded a three-year, $150,000 grant to Occidental College to fund an academic support assessment project designed to improve student learning. The goal is to strengthen student engagement and learning by more closely aligning the goals of student academic support services with those of the academic program. "It's very unusual for a small liberal arts college to formally assess its support functions," said Dean Eric M. Frank, who will serve as the principle investigator on the project. "We'll be able to gather some real data and use that information to improve the student experience and enhance the educational partnership between support services and academic departments." Campus groups participating in the project include the Center for Teaching Excellence; the Center for Community Based Learning; the Office of Fellowships, Scholarships, and National Advising; the Multicultural Summer Institute; and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. The project will establish assessment plans with clear outcomes for each support unit, and will develop a website where findings will be posted. (Source: Maria Avila, Occidental College) Bates Develops Seminar on Maine Politics and Civic Forum Series: When Bates joined Project Pericles, one key goal was to expand attention to policy and politics. The Harward Center for Community Partnerships and the Politics Department at Bates have renewed a three year commitment to run a seminar on public policy in Maine. Taught by an ex-staffer from Maine's legislative research office, students learn about the policy process and are placed in research partnerships with agencies, legislative committees, or NGOs that advance the partner's work. Last year, the Harward Center launched a Civic Forum series, convening diverse leaders and experts to engage issues of importance to Bates, Maine, and beyond. Under the theme "Maine In the 21st Century," forums focused on poverty in Maine, globalization and the regional economy, and environmental transformation in the North Woods. All were re-broadcast on the public radio program, "Speaking in Maine." This year, the series will have a double focus. Two pre-election forums look at the stakes of the campaign for active citizenship and, in a panel of student voices, for student activism and interests. Later in the year, forums will explore climate change for Maine, privacy and homeland security, and women's activism from a transnational perspective. (Source: David Scobey, Bates College) Former President Bill Clinton Visits Allegheny College: When former President Bill Clinton visited Allegheny College on April 19 for a campaign stop in support of his wife, Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, it was more than a rally before this year's Pennsylvania primary election. It was also the first test of the Soapbox Alliance. According to Allegheny, "Not only did the Soapbox's core premise that college campuses should be places open to civic discourse, especially during intense political campaigns prove sound, but President Clinton directly endorsed the alliance in his opening remarks." In November 2007, Allegheny founded Soapbox Alliance, a coalition of institutions working together to end the practice of holding closed campaign events on college campuses. Information can be found at www.soapboxalliance.org (Source: Allegheny College Press Office) Building Infrastructure for CBL and Civic Engagement at Hampshire: Hampshire College has created the Community Engagement and Collaborative Learning (CECL) Network to facilitate the implementation of the strengthened community service requirement now titled Community Engagement and Learning (CEL), and to extend the capacity of academic programs that provide off-campus internships and learning opportunities for students. The Network is comprised of curricular programs, interested faculty, students and administrative representatives. The Network will extend the infrastructure and resource base at Hampshire and support a diverse range of in-and-out-of-classroom collaborative learning opportunities and enable fruitful and sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations. (Source: Mary Bombardier, Hampshire College) Website of the MonthOpposing Views helps users uncover many sides of public policy issues such as the "War in Iraq" and "Global Warming." Opposing Views introduces the questions, policy experts present their cases (and disagree with each other), and users learn about important policy issues. Resources and Publications The American Association of University Women Educational Foundation annually provides Community Action Grants to individuals and local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. The program provides grants of $2,000 to $10,000 as seed money for new projects, and as start-up funds for longer-term programs. Special consideration is given to projects focused on K-12 and community college achievements in science, technology, engineering, or math. See the AAUW website www.aauw.org for more details. A new report, "Fulfilling the Commitment: Recommendations for Reforming Federal Student Aid", issued by the Rethinking Student Aid study group - an independent team of policy experts, researchers, and higher education professionals convened by the College Board - calls for a set of policies that would overhaul the nation's student aid system. Study group co-chairs Sandy Baum, economics professor at Skidmore College and senior policy analyst for the College Board, and Michael McPherson, Spencer Foundation president and Project Pericles board member, declared that the time is right for a fundamental rethinking of the student aid system. "Too many low and middle-income students with high potential face barriers to earning a college degree," McPherson said. "These barriers are born of inertia in political will and a piecemeal, rickety financial aid system that no longer serves student or work force needs. A more predictable, simpler and better targeted aid system can help meet the national challenge of regaining our top position in the world for degree attainment." Conferences November 13-14, 2008 Occidental College and Pitzer College, California Project Pericles Program Directors' Conference This conference is an opportunity for Periclean schools to share information about program development and activities, network with fellow Pericleans, discuss current and future opportunities for collaborations, and inject new insights and ideas for future initiatives. December 12, 2008 New York City, New York Project Pericles Presidents' Council Meeting At this annual meeting, Periclean Presidents will share their perspectives on the development, implementations, and support of Project Pericles on their campuses. The Presidents' Council Meeting will be hosted by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe or submit Periclean-related information for publication, email [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 6 – May 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements Debating for Democracy "Democracy at Risk" Conference: On April 3 and 4, 47 student leaders from the 21 Periclean colleges and universities assembled at TIAA-CREF headquarters in New York for the first annual Debating for Democracy (D4D) National Conference. During the two-day conference, the students participated in a series of forums and activities with leading figures from the fields of civic engagement, education, the environment, and social entrepreneurship. A student leader said the conference "was one of the best experiences that I have had in college". The students were welcomed to New York by Jan Liss, Executive Director, and Eugene Lang, the Chairman and Founder of Project Pericles. The students participated in a forum and workshops on the "Role of the Student Citizen" with three of the leading young activists/organizers in the United States: Katelyn Archer, Vice President of Grassroots Organizing at Mobilize.org; Chris Myers Asch, co-founder of the U.S. Public Service Academy; and Justin Rockefeller, co-founder of GenerationEngage. During the workshops, the students met with Katelyn, Chris, and Justin to discuss strategies for increasing student civic engagement on their campuses. In discussing their experience in the workshop, one student commented, "The small workshop was the time where I really got to know a handful of students and discuss what we were facing; before that, I didn't really understand the passion of my peers." The students then participated in a panel discussion with four of the leading social entrepreneurs in the United States who discussed the challenges they faced creating a non-profit. They provided advice and ideas to students considering careers in this growing field. A highlight of the conference was the "D4D Legislative Hearings." This unique event provided students a forum to articulate their solutions to some of today's most important public policy issues by presenting original legislative solutions to a "legislative committee" consisting of former U.S. Senators Nancy Kassebaum Baker, Bob Kerrey, and Harris Wofford. The six teams who participated in the legislative hearing were selected by a panel of experts from a pool of 41 proposals from 21 Periclean colleges and universities based on the originality and substance of their proposals. The six college teams who participated in the legislative hearing and their proposals were:
During the hearing, each team presented their proposal and answered questions from the "legislative committee". Audience members (faculty, Project Pericles program directors, board members, college presidents, and community leaders) were struck by the poise the students showed as they answered the challenging questions from the committee. When asked about the performance of the student teams, one of the members of the legislative committee said, "I was very impressed with the outstanding efforts put forth by the students." Congratulations to Berea College who the legislators selected as the winning team. The Berea team will receive a $4,000 award that can be used to fund advocacy and education activities including lobbying trips and education workshops. Beth Coleman, a member of the Berea team, said, "I hope that we can use this additional funding to increase direct lobby efforts of our state and national legislators, and promote awareness of how far away "Clean Coal Technology" is from becoming a reality before our government makes a critical misstep in economic and environmental investments." Project Pericles is actively encouraging all of the students who submitted proposals to meet with their elected officials to discuss their exciting ideas. Following the legislative hearing, Project Pericles hosted a celebratory dinner for conference attendees. Michael McPherson, President of the Spencer Foundation, gave a rousing keynote speech on civic engagement. Eugene Lang awarded Richard Guarasci, the President of Wagner College, with the Periclean Service Award for his critical help in developing Debating for Democracy. On the second day of the conference, students participated in the forum "Our Democracy After 2008: A D4D Forum on Three Key Policy Areas." The students had conversations with leading scholars and practitioners related to the three policy areas the students researched: Energy and the Environment; Privacy and Free Speech; and Race, Income, and Access. One highlight of the second day of the conference was the panel on "Race, Income, and Access in the United States: Finding a Way to Strengthen Our Democracy through Education" featuring three of the top academics on this subject: Arthur Levine from the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Pedro Noguerafrom New York University, and Michael Rebell from Columbia University Teachers College. When asked about this panel, a student stated, "The issues they discussed affect millions of children, but are still hush-hush matters. After hearing their points, I feel better equipped to directly confront these challenges and advocate for change." Also speaking at the forum were Anya Kamenetz, a staff writer for Fast Company magazine, who spoke on Youth Activism and Cathy Duvall, the legislative director of the Sierra Club, who discussed the environmental issues facing the next President and Congress. Project Pericles wants to thank everybody who helped us make this conference such a success. We especially want to thank the students who exhibited an infectious enthusiasm throughout the conference; the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation for providing the financial support that helped us turn our idea into a reality; and TIAA-CREF for hosting the event. Periclean News Berea "Energizes" Kentucky: Four colleges and universities in Kentucky including Berea Collegehave joined forces in an innovative partnership between public and private institutions to stimulate the efforts of government, business and education leaders in creating a statewide energy policy. This comprehensive effort, entitled "Energizing Kentucky", was created by Berea College President Larry D. Shinn, Centre College President John A. Roush, University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr.and University of Louisville President James Ramsey to encourage Kentucky to focus on a coherent and integrated energy policy and will assist this policy formation by bringing together state and national energy experts to discuss the economic, educational, and environmental opportunities and challenges presented by the world's current energy situation. Harris Wofford Visits Elon University: Two weeks after participating in the D4D National Conference, former US Senator Harris Wofford visited Elon University on April 17 to deliver a talk entitled, "Citizen Service - To Crack the Atom of Civic Power". During his talk, Wofford said, "I think we're in for a real expansion of national part-time and full-time service opportunities across the country." Harris Wofford serves on the Board of Directors of Project Pericles. Pericleans Participate in CBS News/Uwire Poll: Most students attending four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania are enthusiastic about voting in the presidential campaign, according to a poll conducted by CBS News and UWIRE and released in April. Nearly 9 in 10 students attending four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania who registered to vote in any state are paying attention to the 2008 presidential campaign. 42 percent said they are paying a lot of attention. These numbers aren't as high as voters of all ages nationwide, of whom 60 percent said they were paying a lot of attention in a previous CBS News poll conducted in March. Allegheny College, Chatham University, and Ursinus College were among the colleges that participated in the poll. Chatham Receives Mayoral Proclamation: In honor of Women's History Month, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl awarded a proclamation to Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy. Chatham University President Dr. Esther Barazzone accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Center. Dr. Allyson Lowe, the Director of the Center and Project Pericles Program Director, spoke about the center's achievements. The proclamation mentioned Chatham'sinvolvement in Project Pericles. Occidental Professor Brings Students To Lower Ninth Ward: Following Hurricane Katrina, Occidental College Professor of Political Science Caroline Heldman and two students drove 2000 miles from Los Angeles to New Orleans. During their stay in the city, the team did media coverage in the Seventh Ward and assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Based on the experience Dr. Heldman designed a class to prepare incoming student volunteers for their work in the New Orleans. The course, "Disaster Politics in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina" was approved by the college and sponsored by the Project Pericles Civic Engagement Course Grant program (funded by the Teagle Foundation and the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation) and the Carnegie Foundation. Since 2005, Professor Heldman has brought seven groups of students to New Orleans. In December, thirty new Occidental students volunteered in the Lower Ninth Ward. Eugene Lang College Launches New Civic Engagement Initiative: The Office of Civic Engagement at Eugene Lang College, The New School, is launching a Lower East Side initiative. This initiative draws together a cluster of existing partnerships between Lang College and non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, and grass roots groups located on the Lower East Side. The most recent Lower East Side community partnership to be launched by the Office of Civic Engagement is with the Museum at Eldridge Street, a superbly renovated 19th century synagogue and once the central institution of New York Jewish life. Through on-site courses, internships, exhibitions, and special projects, students will receive training in oral history collection, docent interpretation, tour production and guiding, archival research, and community outreach. Macalester Wins Sustainable St. Paul Award: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and the City Council presented the City's second annual Sustainable St. Paul Awards on April 16 to Macalester College. Mayor Coleman praised the students, faculty, staff, and administration at Macalester College for taking a leadership role in conserving energy by instituting environmental policies, building green buildings, and creatively financing projects. Mayor Coleman established the Sustainable St. Paul Awards to honor outstanding achievements of individuals, businesses, and organization that are protecting and restoring the environment in St. Paul. National Civic Engagement News Financial Aid May Increase Civic Engagement: Giving students generous financial-aid packages appears to increase their level of civic engagement after college, according to research findings that were presented at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association. A study by Shouping Hu, an associate professor of higher education at Florida State University, examined the results of surveys administered to about 3,300 minority students during and after college. Nearly a third of the students surveyed were recipients of Gates Millennium Scholarships, which are awarded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation based on a combination of merit and need. Mr. Hu found that students who received the Gates scholarships were more likely than non-recipients to report being socially and academically engaged in college, an outcome he attributed to the recipients not being burdened with concerns related to their college costs. He says his analysis found that much of the scholarship recipients' engagement in their communities after college seemed to be a result of the value they learned to place on such engagement while in college. But the scholarships themselves seemed to play an independent role in making it more likely people would become involved in their communities after graduation. This story appears in an article written by Peter Schmidt in the March 25th issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Website of the Month The Macarthur Foundation recently unveiled a blog that focuses on digital learning and civic engagement. The blog contains postings from a number of presenters who attended the 89th annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in New York this year. The theme of the conference was "Research on Schools, Neighborhoods, and Communities: Toward Civic Responsibility". Resources and Publications Mobilize the Polls Program: Mobilize.org launched its "Mobilize the Polls" Program, an initiative that aims to recruit 500 poll workers under the age of 30 for the 2008 Presidential Election. In discussing this important new program, Mobilize.org Chief Executive Officer Maya Enista said, "In many cities across the country, there is a demonstrable need for poll workers. With the new technologies that are being explored to enhance the voter experience, members of the Millennial Generation can contribute their familiarity with technology to aid other members of their community to cast their ballot this November." If you are interested in serving as a poll worker in your district, please contact David Rippon, Asssitant Director of Project Pericles, at [email protected]. David will put you in touch with the Mobilize.org team. Brower Youth Awards to Honor Young Environmental Leaders: The Brower Youth Awards will recognize six young people in North America annually for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and environmental justice advocacy. The winners receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and a wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute. Activist leaders between the ages of 13 and 22 are eligible to apply. Further information and the application request form are available at the Brower Youth Awards Web site To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 5 – March 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements Exciting Updates on D4D Conference: On April 3 and 4, 2008, Project Pericles will host the 2008 Debating for Democracy (D4D) National Event in New York City for 50 student leaders from Periclean colleges and universities. The event will consist of workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and "legislative hearings". The conference will be sponsored by the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation and hosted by TIAA-CREF. The complete agenda for the event can be viewed here. The legislative hearings will be moderated by former U.S. Senator and current President of The New School Bob Kerrey. The legislators who will participate in the event include former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker; former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford; current New York City Councilman Eric Gioia; and current State Senator Bill Perkins. In early March, 41 groups of students from 21 Periclean colleges and universities, who wanted to participate in the hearings, submitted original legislative proposals to Project Pericles addressing a variety of public policy issues. After reviewing these proposals, a committee selected six finalists. The colleges, proposal titles, and student authors are listed below. At the conference, these six teams will present their proposals to the legislators and a large audience of students, faculty, and other interested people. At the end of the event, the legislators will select the winning proposal. The winning team will receive a $4,000 award that can be used to fund advocacy and education activities including lobbying trips and education workshops.
Periclean News Ten Periclean Schools Receive President's Honor Roll Award for Service: Ten Periclean schools have been recognized by The Corporation for National and Community Service as members of the 2007 President's Higher Community Service Honor Roll. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award are chosen based on factors that included scope and innovativeness of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. Honor Roll: Bates College*, Berea College*, Elon University*, Macalester College*, Occidental College*, Pace University, Rhodes College*, Ursinus College, Wagner College*, and Widener University* (*Honor roll with distinction) Pitzer Program Director Wins Prestigious Award: The Open Society Institute named 18 outstanding scholars, lawyers, advocates, and journalists to be the 2008 Soros Justice Fellows. In total, the Fellows will receive more than $1,125,000 to support their creative and groundbreaking work to reform the American justice system. Professor Susan Phillips, the Project Pericles Program Director at Pitzer College, was one of the 18 scholars. The award will help Dr. Phillips complete Operation Fly Trap: Gangs, Drugs and the Law, a book examining how federal policies directed at combating drugs and gangs actually generate and sustain the conditions that perpetuate poverty, crime, and violence in communities of color. Allegheny Formalizes Civic Engagement Council: In conjunction with the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Core Commitments program, Allegheny College's Civic Engagement Council (CEC) has hosted five college-community dialogues addressing environmental responsibility, neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and student conduct. CEC campus partners have also supported participation in RecycleMania, with special emphasis on the connections between over-consumption, waste, and global warming. Ursinus Hosts Forum on Museums and Communities: The Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College and The Speaker's House in Trappe co-sponsored a public forum titled "Museums and Their Communities: Negotiating Preservation, Interpretation and Relevance" on March 19. Panelists Bill Adair, Hirsig Family Director of Education at the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Stephen Hague, Executive Director of Stenton, and David Young, Executive Director of Cliveden examined how 21st Century museums can achieve sustainability. The panel was moderated by Susan Shifrin, Associate Director for Education at the Berman. Students from Dr. Shifrin's course "Museums and Their Communities," a course intended to demonstrate how museums function - conceptually and strategically - by means of civic engagement, and that is funded in part by Project Pericles' Civic Engagement Course Grant Program (CEC), helped plan the forum. Chatham Utilizes Federal Work-Study: Chatham University is taking advantage of federal student work-study to help place students in community-service oriented positions in a variety of community organizations such as the Carriage House early children's education center, University of Pittsburg Medical Center women's behavioral health center, Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery's Halfway House, and Cornell Abraxas, a treatment center for troubled teen girls. Elon Holds Iraq Symposium: Elon University held a symposium on the costs of the war in Iraq from March 3 to 6. Speakers at the event included Phyllis Bennis, a writer, analyst, activist, and a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, and Dahr Jamail, journalist for Inter Press Service, The Asia Times, Democracy Now!, and the BBC. To view a program of the event, click here. Swarthmore Student a Featured Speaker at Social Entrepreneurship Conference: Marissa Davis'08, a history major at Swarthmore College, joined other social activists as a featured speaker at the Smith College 2008 Social Entrepreneurship Conference on February 23. Marissa discussed her work in New Orleans, where she established a children's library in Algiers with funding from the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility. She also discussed her future plans for NOLArize! (New Orleans Louisiana rising), an organization she founded to raise awareness of the current situation in New Orleans. To learn more about the conference, click here. Hendrix Professor Releases Report on Education in Arkansas: Hendrix College Professor of Politics and Project Pericles Program Director Dr. Jay Barth is co-author of the report, "What is Arkansas Doing to Close the Achievement Gap?" Newly released by Hendrix College, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, the report finds that major gaps remain among students of different racial and socioeconomic groups in the state. The report also identifies steps to close the achievement gap in future years. Also contributing to the report was Hendrix College graduate Russ Montgomery. To read the full report, click here. Seven Students from Periclean Colleges Win Prestigious Watson Fellowship: Seven students from Periclean colleges were named as winners of the prestigious Thomas Watson Fellowship. The Watson Foundation calls these selected Fellows "students of unusual promise" who are "accomplished leaders." Nearly 1000 students apply for these wards, and 175 were considered as finalists. Each Fellow receives $25,000 for the year of travel and is not expected to return to the U.S. until the year is over. The names of the students and their projects are listed below:
President's Corner Allegheny College Honors President Richard Cook: A new environmental center will be named for Richard J. Cook, President of Allegheny College. The Richard J. Cook Center for Environmental Science will honor Allegheny's 20th President, who is retiring at the end of the academic year after twelve years in the position. "Because of Dr. Cook's passionate commitment to a sustainable economic and environmental future, it seemed most fitting that his name be associated with this center, which will provide even more visibility for Allegheny's already strong and nationally respected programs in environmental science and environmental studies," said Dean of the College Linda DeMeritt in announcing the news to the campus community. Allegheny College Appoints New President: Dr. James H. Mullen Jr. has been named the 21st President of Allegheny College and will take office on August 1, 2008. Dr. Mullen was the former president of Elms College, chancellor of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Asheville, and senior vice president of Trinity College. To read more, click here. National Civic Engagement News CIRCLE Moves to Tufts: Starting in July 2008, the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) will become part of the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. CIRCLE was previously housed at the University of Maryland. Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Kicks Off at Tulane: Former President Clinton hosted CGI U, a new project of the Clinton Global Initiative, that will engage college students to make commitments to tackle global issues with practical, innovative solutions. The inaugural meeting of CGI U, held at Tulane University, in New Orleans, from March 14 to 16, convened more than 600 college students, university presidents and administrators, leading nonprofit organizations, social entrepreneurs, and youth leaders to discuss how student activists can make a difference around the world. Website of the MonthThe website www.servicevote.org is part of Youth Service America's campaign to engage young people in the political process, beginning with voting. Building on the significant recent growth in both youth volunteering and voting, ServiceVote 2008 challenges young people to think critically about how, by participating in the political process, they can affect the issues that they work to address through service. Resources and Publications Students Believe They Can Change the Country: A strong majority of young voters think they can change the country, says a poll released last week by Rock the Vote, a nonprofit group that encourages young people to participate in the political process. The study found that 89 percent of 18 to 29 year old voters believe they have the ability to change the country, and 75 percent think their age group is having a greater-than-usual impact on the presidential election this year. The poll also found that issues important to young voters include the economy (17 percent), the war in Iraq (12 percent), health care (11 percent), and college affordability (10 percent). AAC&U and The Aspen Institute announce a new seminar for 2008: the Wye Chief Academic Officers' Seminar, June 15-20, will focus on "Citizenship and the Polity." The seminar will provide the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from other colleges and universities while probing the fundamental values and goals that are the reason for our institutional existence. Readings are selected to challenge participants to focus on values such as individual rights and responsibilities both nationally and globally, and the public purposes of education in a free, democratic republic. Conferences April 3-4, 2008 New York, NY The 2008 Project Pericles Debating for Democracy Conference Debating for Democracy (D4D). April 9-12, 2008 Minneapolis, MN The 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference National Youth Leadership Council. June 12-14, 2008 Snowbird, Utah American Democracy Project (ADP) National Meeting American Democracy Project. October 25-28, 2008 New Orleans, LA 8th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement: Reciprocity across the Scholarship of Engagement International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE). To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 4 – February 2008 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements Exciting Updates on D4D Conference: On April 3 and 4, 2008, Project Pericles will be hosting the 2008 Debating for Democracy (D4D) National Event in New York City for student leaders from each of the Periclean colleges and universities. The event will consist of workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and a series of "legislative hearings" where students will present original legislation to a panel of current and former legislators. The event will be sponsored by the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation and hosted by TIAA-CREF. The "legislative hearings" event will be moderated by former U.S. Senator and current President of The New School Bob Kerrey and will include former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker; former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford; New York City Councilman Eric Gioia; and State Senator Bill Perkins. Other speakers at the event will include Justin Rockefeller, National Program Director of GenerationEngage; Cathy Duvall, National Political Director of the Sierra Club; and Arthur E. Levine, President of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. Michael S. McPherson, President of the Spencer Foundation, will deliver the keynote address at the dinner on April 3. The full conference agenda will be announced in the March issue of the Periclean Progress. For further information on the conference, please call the Project Pericles office at 212-986-4496. Periclean Focus: 2008 Election Allegheny Set to Co-host Event on Presidential Nomination Reform: On February 13, Allegheny College, with aid from the New York Times Knowledge Network, will host a one-day conference to launch a two-year national project on presidential nomination reform. Student teams from up to 25 colleges will participate in the event. A four-week online course (January 30 to February 20), offered by the New York Times Knowledge Network, complements the conference. The online course focuses on the evolution of the nomination process and highlights particular reforms that could be enacted before the 2012 election. Professor of political science and director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College, Daniel M. Shea commented, "The Allegheny initiative will train a critical eye on the future presidential nominations as a mechanism to engage young voters and explore innovative nomination models." College teams may register to participate in the conference here. Chatham Gives Women "The Winning Edge": Women learned how to build a successful political campaign at the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign School at Chatham University. The three-day program commenced on January 25 and is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund and the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy. The school aims to expose participants to realistic situations such as creating an effective campaign message, handling communication crises, managing criticism, and fundraising. Program facilitator and political campaigner Diane Cromer said, "This case-based school provides hands-on practice and that is why it can create the winning difference." Saint Mary's Sends Five Students to College Political Convention: After winning an essay contest, five St. Mary's College of Maryland students were rewarded with the opportunity to attend New Hampshire's College Convention 2008 on December 6. The students, representing a variety of political views, interacted with the presidential candidates. Periclean News Focus the Nation Kicks Off: On Jan. 31, Allegheny College, Bereas College, Macalester College, The New School, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Ursinus College joined over 1,300 colleges, universities, high schools and middle schools, faith organizations, civic groups, and businesses in the biggest national teach-in in U.S. history, " Focus the Nation: Global-Warming Solutions for America". The teach-in kicked off on January 30 with a free, national webcast. The 2% Solution, featuring Stanford climate scientist Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins, and green-jobs pioneer Van Jones. New Fund Honors Lifelong Service of Allegheny Alumna: The Center for Community Engagement at Allegheny College has received a $1 million gift to establish the Gail Howe Fahrner '56 Fund to provide financial support for a variety of educational programs that connect learning with service to the benefit of both students and the community. Environmental Projects Featured on Swarthmore Videocast: Several environmental initiatives currently underway at Swarthmore College are featured in a news report on CN8's "Art Fennell Reports." Included are horticulturalist Jeff Jabco, who gives a tour of Alice Paul Hall's green roof and the rainwater collection system used at the LEED-certified Science Center, and engineering major Lauren Goodfriend who demonstrates the system she designed to create her solar-powered dorm room. "Doin' the Green Thing": Students of Berea College entered the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF's) "Chill Out" amateur video contest. The participants' clips, which can be viewed on video website YouTube, focus on ways colleges and universities are addressing global warming. Berea'sentry to the competition "Doin' the Green Thing" was made in cooperation with Berea's Ecological Sustainability Education Department. The winning clip, which will be determined by votes, views, and other NWF judging criteria, will be awarded a cash prize and be shown on a National Wildlife Federation's Earth Day webcast in April 2008. Program Directors Write Editorial on Judicial Reform: St. Mary's College of Maryland Program Director Michael Cain and former Program Director Zach Messitte wrote an editorial on judicial reform in Maryland for the Baltimore Sun's editorial page. In the editorial, Cain and Messitte said, "It is time for the legislature to get serious about ending the rank partisanship, electoral flaws, and opportunity for unqualified jurists to reach the bench of the state's Circuit Court via contested popular elections." Occidental's Values and Vocations Project Receives Grant: Occidental's Values and Vocations Project (VVP), run by the college's Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL), received a $499,582 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. The project, started in 2003, encourages students to consider theological vocations and use religious leadership to better others. The project has reached over 1,500 students through courses and lectures and has provided grants sending students to 10 different countries to accomplish meaningful work. Swarthmore Alum Supports Green Bonds: Swarthmore graduate Andrew Sniderman '07, a fellow at Action Canada and co-founder of the Genocide Intervention Network, advocates the sale of "Green Bonds" to relieve climate change. Sniderman describes the "Green Bond" as "a modern-day War Bond that would fund sustainable energy infrastructure projects." He and four other fellows have been trying to convince the Canadian government to issue these financial instruments, which would generate money to be used towards investment in renewable energy projects and technologies. The fellows' efforts have met with strong support from the Canadian public and policymakers. Elon Student Group Focuses on Education of Ugandan Children: Invisible Children, a nationwide initiative that raises funds for the education of Ugandan children, is one of the fastest-growing student organizations on college campuses. Current sophomore Katie Meyer started the Elon chapter in 2006. Much to her credit, the group boasts more than 120 student participants and has raised over $5,200 to sponsor a secondary school in Northern Uganda. Students Launch Radio Project: The Darfur Radio Project was launched by Swarthmore Collegestudents in December to "shift the lens through which the public understands and engages with the violence in Darfur." Topics include a critical look at how Chinese investment is playing out in the Merowe Dam Project in northern Sudan, Sudanese musicians, the conflict in eastern Sudan, which predates the violence in Darfur, and how both large international NGOs and smaller grassroots organizations tackle the question of education in Darfur. Occidental Celebrates CCBL Anniversary: The Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBL) at Occidental College celebrated its sixth anniversary with a two-day forum that focused on reflecting on its role as the institutional core of community outreach at Occidental. The gathering was well-attended by students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. It featured panel discussions and presentations on the work being conducted by Occidental, in partnership with the community. Hendrix Program Honored with Innovation in Teacher Education Award: The Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators presented Hendrix's Early Literacy Program (HELP) with the prestigious Innovation in Teacher Education Award. HELP was formed in 2004 as a joint venture between Hendrix College and Sallie Cone Elementary School allowing Hendrix students to give children assistance with reading and writing. President's Corner Occidental College Appoints New President: On January 1, Robert A. Skotheim was appointed interim president of Occidental College. President Skotheim is the former president of Whitman College and former president of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Widener President Named Citizen of the Year: The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce awarded Widener President James T. Harris III the title of 2007 Citizen of the Year. The chamber recognized Dr. Harris's leadership at Widener in developing partnerships and projects that serve Chester and Delaware Counties in Pennsylvania and for his promotion of civic engagement among students. Website of the Month Big Think mixes interviews with public intellectuals from politics, law, business, and the arts and allows users to engage in debates on issues including global warming and the two-party system. Backers of Big Think include former Gov. Mitt Romney, as well as one of the founders of PayPal, Peter Thiel, and Larry Summers, a former president of Harvard University. Resources and Publications The StartingBloc Institute for Social Innovation is accepting applications for its London fellowship program. StartingBloc provides socially conscious undergraduate students and young professionals with the training, career opportunities, and networks necessary to drive social, economic, and environmental innovation around the world. StartingBloc fellows attend conference sessions on corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship and sustainable development at its partner graduate schools including Columbia Business School, The Fletcher School (Tufts), MIT Sloan, NYU Wagner, Yale School of Management, and London Business School. Visit Startingbloc.org for more information and to apply. The Sodexho Foundation seeks nominations to recognize students in the fight against hunger in America. The STOP Hunger Scholarship rewards students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger and its root causes in the United States. Up to five scholarship recipients will each receive a $3,000 scholarship as well as a $3,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their community. Up to twenty regional recipients, designated as STOP Hunger Honorees, will each receive a $1,000 grant made in their name to a hunger-related charity. Visit the Sodexho Foundation Web site for complete program information and application procedures. AAC&U and The Aspen Institute announce a new seminar for 2008: the Wye Chief Academic Officers' Seminar, June 15-20, will focus on "Citizenship and the Polity." The seminar will provide the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from other colleges and universities while probing the fundamental values and goals that are the reason for our institutional existence. Readings are selected to challenge participants to focus on values such as individual rights and responsibilities both nationally and globally, and the public purposes of education in a free, democratic republic. The Carnegie Foundation is currently inviting colleges and universities with an institutional focus on community engagement to apply for the 2008 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Previously developed and offered in 2006, this elective classification provides a way for institutions to describe their identity and commitments to community with a public and nationally recognized classification. If your institution is interested in participating in the 2008 Community Engagement Classification, please email Amy Driscoll at [email protected] to express your intent by March 1, 2008. Conferences March 24-28, 2008 New York, NY Research on Schools, Neighborhoods, and Communities: Toward Civic Responsibility, American Educational Research Association. For more information, click here. April 3-4, 2008 New York, NY The 2008 Project Pericles Debating for Democracy Conference. For more information, click here. April 9-12, 2008 Minneapolis, MN The 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference, National Youth Leadership Council. For more information, click here. June 12-14, 2008 Snowbird, UT American Democracy Project (ADP) National Meeting. For more information, click here. October 25-28, 2008 New Orleans, LA 8th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement: Reciprocity across the Scholarship of Engagement, International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE). For more information, click here. The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 3 – November 2007 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
National Office Announcements D4D Student Leaders to Present Original Legislative Proposals: On April 3 and 4, 2008, Project Pericles will be hosting the 2008 Debating for Democracy (D4D) National Event in New York City for student leaders from each of the Periclean colleges and universities. The event will consist of workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and a series of "legislative hearings". Unlike "mock hearings" that frequently occur at high schools and colleges, students will be asked to prepare an original legislative proposal related to a pressing public policy issue. Six students will be selected to present an original legislative proposal to a "legislative committee" of well-known former elected officials. Project Pericles will provide an award to the D4D chapter at the college that submits the best legislative proposal as determined by a legislative committee of former elected officials. The D4D chapter can use this award to fund advocacy and education activities including lobbying trips and workshops. Official guidelines for the legislative proposal and the event are available here. The Presidents' Council Annual Meeting: At this meeting on December 12, Periclean Presidents will share their perspectives on the development, implementation, and support of civic engagement on their campuses. Project Pericles extends its thanks to the Teagle Foundation for hosting this meeting. Periclean News Hendrix Professor Named Professor of the Year: Project Pericles Program Director Jay Barth, Associate Professor of Politics at Hendrix College, was selected as Arkansas' Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He received this award on November 15 in Washington, D.C. along with the other state winners and was additionally recognized by members of Arkansas's congressional delegation. "Reflecting on our collegiate days, we can all remember a professor who challenged us, motivated us, and who above everything else created in us a sense of true discovery through education," Hendrix President J. Timothy Cloyd said. "For literally hundreds of Hendrix Collegegraduates, Jay Barth has been that professor." Eugene M. Lang Speaks at College Convention 2008: From November 28 to December 1, college and high school students from all over America gathered at the Radisson Center of New Hampshire for College Convention 2008. There was a full agenda of policy-driven and issue-oriented sessions featuring important elected officials and renowned experts. Governor John Lynch (D-NH), Michele Perkins, President of New England College, and Eugene M. Lang, Founder of Project Pericles, provided opening remarks at the event. In his remarks, Eugene M. Lang said, "Together, all of you represent the responsibilities and objectives of higher education. And, among these responsibilities and objectives is the need to reawaken undergraduate education to its primary responsibility of preparing all students, regardless of academic discipline or career interest, for socially responsible, thoughtful, participatory citizenship." The convention was organized by New England College. Berea College Named Top Environmental College: On October 29, Sierra, the bi-monthly periodical of the nonprofit Sierra Club, announced its list of the 10 greenest colleges in the U.S. Berea Collegewas named the 7th greenest college. Berea College is perhaps best known for its Ecovillage, a housing complex for students that incorporates passive-solar design elements, heavy-duty insulation, efficient appliances and fixtures, and rainwater collection. St. Mary's Students Shift Into Gear: On November 2, 2007, thousands of young adults converged on Washington, D.C. for Power Shift 2007, the first national youth summit dedicated to solving the climate crisis. Forty-eight students from St. Mary's College of Maryland attended Powershift-- 2.6% of their entire student body. Five students from St. Mary's stayed for Lobby Day, during which they lobbied members of Congress to develop comprehensive solutions to the climate crisis. President's CornerAllegheny College President Richard J. Cook invited institutions of higher education nationwide to join Allegheny in a democracy-strengthening initiative with the goal of ending the practice by political candidates of holding closed meetings on college campuses. Cook invited leaders in higher education to join the "Soapbox Alliance," a coalition of institutions that either have an open-event policy or have pledged to work toward the goal of establishing an open-event policy by September 1, 2008. A web site, www.soapboxalliance.org, was also launched to provide information about the Alliance. The idea of encouraging other colleges to band together in order to strengthen the impact of such policies -- and potentially end the practice of hosting closed campaign events on campuses altogether -- was first described in a perspective piece by Allegheny Professor Dan Shea that was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education in August 2006. Professor Shea said, "In the end it boils down to this: Closed, ticketed events are inconsistent with the mission of higher education and with the spirit of democracy." Bates College President Elaine Tuttle Hansen was elected to the Board of Trustees at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Washington, D.C., on November 16. Widener University President James T. Harris has been appointed to the American Council on Education Commission on the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity. Harris is the sole representative from Pennsylvania on the Commission, which consists of 38 presidents from colleges and universities throughout the United States. Periclean Focus: Global Civic Engagement Programs for Students and FacultyIn 2006, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) published the book, Assessing Global Learning. The report was designed to help colleges and universities "construct and assess the impact of multiple, well-defined, developmental pathways through which students can acquire global learning." Based on the book, we decided the Periclean Focus should focus this month on "pathways" to global learning at Periclean colleges. Each year, Chatham University's Global Focus Program selects a country for a year-long study on campus, partnerships with international community present in Pittsburgh for local cultural interactions, and ultimately a Chatham Abroad course in the spring. 2007-08 is the Year of Germany and Chathamhas worked closely with Pittsburgh's large German and German-American community on education, cultural, and political programs. Chatham is offering a semester-long course called "Contemporary Germany", and in the May term there will be a faculty-led seminar entitled "Germany in a Dynamic Europe". Two classes of Periclean scholars at Elon University will host "Footprints in Africa", a five-day series of events aimed at making Elon students more informed global citizens. The series, which ran from November 27 through December 1, culminates with a talk by Anita Issacs, an HIV/AIDS activist from Namibia featured in a documentary filmed by a Periclean Scholars class. Issacs was recently named one of 14 recipients of the World YWCA Women Leading Change Award. Eight members of Elon University's Periclean Scholars Class of 2008 and two faculty advisors will spend January in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico as a culmination of their three years of study on the region and the struggle of its indigenous inhabitants. The students have raised $15,000 for the renovation of an autonomous school which will allow indigenous students to learn about their culture and heritage in their native language. The Periclean Scholars will work closely with their partners at Schools for Chiapas. Hampshire College's international exchange programs offer students opportunities for academic study as well as civic engagement. In China this has included projects involving AIDS afflicted communities; in Germany, ethnographic field research on issues of identity and integration among Turkish women who are first- and second-generation residents of Berlin (this student has since been awarded a Fulbright to continue her research); in Cuba, work with the Office of the Historian in the documentation and urban revitalization of Old Havana; in South Africa, HIV education both amongst university peers and in villages surrounding Durban; and in Nicaragua, where currently a student is working with at-risk youth and their families through a gang and drug prevention project with 11-16 year-olds. Pace University History Professors Dr. Ronald K. Frank and Dr. Joseph T. Lee and the Cultural Restoration Tourism Project (CRTP), a San Francisco-based non-profit organization, organized a 3-week service-learning trip to Mongolia and China. The trip combined an academic focus on Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Asia with public history research and community outreach in a cross-cultural setting. Pace University Professor Dr. Satish Kolluri recently offered a course entitled "Global Citizenship in Action: Understanding Development Communication in India" that helped students grasp the complex and culturally diverse developmental realities of India. As part of the course, students traveled to India for a month-long community-based learning experience that provided active engagement with rural communities in the southern Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Pace students studied and worked in conjunction with the University of Hyderabad and the Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, Bangalore, on community radio and video projects. Dr. Trevor Evans, Professor of Social Work at Widener University, led the School of Human Service Professionals International study expedition to Amsterdam in May. The trip was designed to familiarize graduate students from several departments with Dutch social welfare and social service systems. In conjunction with the course Comparative Social Work and Social Welfare, students met and observed Dutch social work practicioners, psychologists, counselors, educators, and students. Zawadi Africa, founded in 2002, is a non-profit program that identifies exceptionally qualified young African women from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds and finds places for them in United States colleges and universities that are willing to provide these women with scholarships and tuition wavers. For each scholarship Zawadi Africa screens about 30 students and narrows the selection to six candidates to fill out applications to US colleges. Admissions offices at participating colleges and universities make the final selections. These institutions commit to seeing each student through an undergraduate degree, provide scholarships and tuition waivers. Donors solicited by Zawadi Africa provide supplementary funds, for testing, airfare, and startup fees (for books and warm clothing, for example). Students work on campus and pay for their own incidentals, making the program self-sufficient. Berea College is among the colleges and universities that partner with and/or have enrolled Zawadi Africa students. For more information, visit the Zawadi Africa website here. Website of the Month LibraryThing is an online service to help people catalog their books easily. You can access your catalog from anywhere--even on your mobile phone. Because everyone catalogs together, LibraryThing also connects people with the same books and comes up with suggestions for what to read next. LibraryThing is a full-powered cataloging application, searching the Library of Congress, all five national Amazon sites, and more than 80 world libraries. You can edit your information, search and sort it, "tag" books with your own subjects, or use the Library of Congress and Dewey systems to organize your collection. Resources and Publications The Brick Awards, an annual program of Do Something, honor young people (age 25 and under) in the United States and Canada for their efforts to address problems in their local or global communities. Nine Brick Award winners will receive a minimum of $10,000 in community grants and scholarships. Of those nine winners, one will be selected by a national online vote as a Golden Brick Award winner and will receive $100,000 in community grants. The community grant money is paid directly to the not-for-profit of the winner's choice. Visit the Do Something Web site here for complete program information, application procedures, and information on previous award winners. The latest Rock the Vote young voter opinion research is available and reports that 77% of young voters are watching the presidential debates, compared to 64% of voters of all ages. To read the full report, click here. The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse has a large selection of links and items that discuss international service-learning, as well as resource organizations. To learn more and tap into valuable service-learning resources, to visit, click here. Conferences January 23-26, 2008 Washington, DC 2008 Annual Meeting: Intentional Learning, Unscripted Challenges: Knowledge and Imagination for an Interdependent World Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). February 14-16, 2008 Phoenix, AZ University as Civic Partner PURL Conference February 29-March 1, 2008 Indianapolis, IN 3rd Annual Conference on International Service-Learning: Advancing Research and Practice Center for Service and Learning April 3-4, 2008 New York, NY The 2008 Project Pericles Debating for Democracy Conference Debating for Democracy (D4D) April 9-12, 2008 Minneapolis, MN The 19th Annual National Service-Learning Conference National Youth Leadership Council June 12-14, 2008 Snowbird, Utah American Democracy Project (ADP) National Meeting American Democracy Project October 25-28, 2008 New Orleans, LA 8th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement: Reciprocity across the Scholarship of Engagement International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. The Periclean Progress E-Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 2 – October 2007 The Periclean Progress is a publication of Project Pericles, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
Director's Welcome October kicked off with our annual Program Directors' Conference on the beautiful Hampshire College campus. For two days twenty-two Program Directors from all Periclean campuses met to discuss issues of common concern. At the conference, we discussed individual campus initiatives and future Periclean programming in areas such as "Student Advocacy and the 2008 Elections", "Preparing Students for a Life of Civic Engagement After College.", and "Project Pericles' Role in the National Civic Engagement Dialogue and How It Can Be Expanded". Since the conference, Program Directors have been in regular contact with each other on a variety of issues including service-learning course designation on students' transcripts. We have been particularly busy planning the 2007-2008 Debating for Democracy (D4D) program. D4D is a campus-based program in which students research, develop their own opinions, and advocate and defend their positions on current policy issues of public import. The 2007-2008 Debating for Democracy program began earlier this month and concludes in December 2008. In addition to the six colleges who participated in D4D during the pilot year, we are pleased that at least fourteen new Pericleans will be participating in the upcoming program. Based on feedback from attendees, the conference was a tremendous success and generated a number of inspiring ideas. I want to extend my warmest thanks to our Hampshire hosts-President Ralph J. Hexter and Program Director Mary Bombardier-for their hospitality and for their valuable contributions to our agenda. On October 1, Project Pericles launched the 2007-2008 Debating for Democracy (D4D) program. D4D is a campus-based program in which Periclean students research, develop their own opinions, and advocate their positions on current policy issues of public import. This year, at least 20 Periclean campuses will participate. Campuses have selected one of three topics: Democracy at Risk: Race, Income, and Access in the United States; Democracy at Risk: Energy and the Environment; Democracy at Risk: Privacy and Free Speech in the Internet Age. "We look forward to another full and exciting month of civic engagement work." Jan R. Liss, Executive Director National Office Announcements November 1 - The Project Pericles Board of Directors Meeting: Hosted by the Mellon Foundation in New York City, this meeting will address past accomplishments and future plans to extend the envisioned impact of Project Pericles' mission. December 12 - The Presidents' Council Meeting: At this annual meeting, Periclean Presidents will share their perspectives on the development, implementation, and support of civic engagement on their campuses. The Presidents' Council meeting will be hosted by the Teagle Foundation in New York City. Debating for Democracy Website: Project Pericles has developed a social networking website (www.projectpericles.ning.com) to serve as the D4D "virtual community". The website allows participants to discuss policy issues related to their D4D topics, find an internship, and learn how to register to vote. The website is open only to D4D participants (students, faculty, and Program Directors). Faculty members or students at a Periclean college interested in joining the website should contact the Program Director at their college. Periclean News Eleven faculty and staff members from Elon University presented research at the 7th Annual International Conference on Service-Learning and Community Engagement. The conference is one of the largest gatherings of professors and researchers who advocate for the growth of service-learning at all levels, from kindergarten through graduate school. Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy has received a $25,000 grant from Verizon to conduct a statewide study on domestic violence. The study's results will be part of the center's annual "Ready to Matter" research series that takes a critical look at issues affecting women. "This grant will enable the research series to dig deeper, exposing domestic violence trends across the state and in individual counties and regions," said Project Pericles Program Director Allyson Lowe, assistant professor and director-Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy. "We then intend to release our findings during the next year through our website and with various printed materials." Faculty and staff of Hampshire College gathered September 18 to celebrate a first for American higher education, as their hosts-President Ralph J. Hexter and his partner of more than 27 years, Manfred Kollmeier- announced their marriage. President Hexter and Mr. Kollmeier married over Labor Day weekend, but delayed their public announcement until they could share it with the Hampshire College community. A celebration with students was held on September 19. Periclean Focus: K-12 EducationLast month, we added a new section to the newsletter-Periclean Focus. This section focuses on one topic that is generating interest on Periclean campuses, classrooms, and communities. Each month, we will ask members of the Project Pericles community to submit articles, best practices, and news related to this topic. This month, we are focusing on K-12 education. In the last few years, Pericleans have started innovative programs designed to help young people in their communities reach their academic potential. Programs have focused on topics ranging from college preparation to tutoring. On May 18, leaders from the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs met with Bates College President Elaine Tuttle Hansen, and the Presidents of Bowdoin College and Colby College at Indian Island in Maine. They formally established a long-term relationship that will provide recruitment of and full tuition for Native college students, an expansion of Native studies courses, and opportunities for Native educators. Raul Matta, a third year Hampshire College student, is a lead organizer for Military Recruitment Education Network, a counter military recruitment project in Western Massachusetts. This network is part of a national movement to educate young people about alternatives to the military. This year Raul is working with Community Partnerships for Social Change, led by Project Pericles Program Director Mary Bombardier, to recruit and train Hampshire College students to be organizers for this project. Currently Raul and his team are doing outreach in three area schools. They are working in collaboration with a local initiative, College Prep of Holyoke Planning Network, to provide mentoring and advice that increases the accessibility of college to local youth. Allegheny College students enrolled in Professor Elizabeth Ozorak's junior seminar are partnering with Second District School in a mentoring program for elementary school students. Small groups of students meet weekly with college student mentors to engage in a variety of problem-solving activities. After several weeks, the groups will choose a real-world problem to work on. The goal is to improve the children's skill and confidence in problem-solving while supporting them in making a real difference in the community. The Bates College Education Department and the Harward Center for Community Partnerships have developed a wide array of partnerships with local schools in Lewiston and Auburn, Maine. In a partnership with Longley Elementary School, Bates students are paired with elementary students through the Longley Mentoring and BatesBuddies programs to help build reading and social literacy skills. Bates students have also partnered with Longley teachers to focus on writing literacy. Rhodes College has a long standing adopt-a-school relationship with neighboring Snowden School with more than 100 Rhodes students working at the school each week. Students serve as tutors and mentors to elementary and middle schoolers and design and administer complex reading and math tutoring programs. The relationships became so broad and deep that formal adoption proceedings were initiated in 2007. Rhodes is now the official adopter of Springdale Elementary School, Cypress Middle School, Central High School, and Snowden School. Additionally, Cypress Middle, Snowden, and Springdale Elementary science students are studying a NASA-sanctioned science curriculum through the NASA Stars program at Rhodes College. To date, 435 students and 16 science teachers from the Memphis City Schools have benefited from the program. The Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility at Swarthmore Collegesupports the work of the Chester Youth Collaborative by offering high school students an opportunity to participate in the College Advancement Program (CAP). The program provides weekly one on one tutoring in math, science, reading comprehension, and writing. The core program is supplemented with SAT and college application preparation. Swarthmore College students support the program as tutors and program assistants. The SAT prep sessions are provided by the Swarthmore College Student Society of Black Engineers as their community service project. Staff provides support by conducting a diverse group of workshops on topics including financial aid. The Chester Children's Choir, a year-round program created and run by Swarthmore College music professor, John Alston, rehearses at Swarthmore and performs both in the College's Lang Concert Hall and in Chester. Participants receive tutoring and mentoring during the school year provided by Swarthmore students. During an intensive five-week Summer Learning Program, the children study music, reading, science, art, and African dance and drumming. Pace High School, founded in 2004 in collaboration with Pace University's School of Education, now enrolls over 300 mostly low-income students from Chinatown in New York City. Pace University student teachers regularly volunteer in the classrooms of Pace High School and youth are regularly brought on campus to use facilities such as the library and computer labs. They can also attend courses at Pace's downtown campus. Students have access to college counselors from Pace who volunteer to help them select and apply to colleges. The "Above the Line" Project, designed and implemented by Professor James Jennings, is funded by the Hendrix Odyssey program. Held in June, the project involved remediation and enrichment in literacy, grammar, mathematics, science, and higher order thinking skills for 22 low-achieving third graders in the Forrest City School District. Four students from Hendrix College assisted in the curriculum for the "Above the Line" Project. Following the three weeks of intensive remedial studies utilizing the "Above the Line" Project curriculum, a majority of students improved their test scores in a number of subject areas. Founded in 2004, Opportunities Abound is a partnership between Macalester College and Admission Possible, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help make college admission possible for talented, motivated and economically disadvantaged students in Minnesota. Through this relationship, Macalester and Admission Possible promotes the enrollment of promising low-income Minnesota students, many of whom are multiracial or of color, into Minnesota colleges and universities. This project joins together the offices and programs at Macalester that currently work independently with area youth and students of color, including the Community Service Office, Lealtad-Suzuki Center, MAX Center for Academic Excellence, Financial Aid, and the Admissions Office. Twelve Macalester students actively participate in the Opportunities Abound Student Leadership Program. Two Professors at New England College, Bill Preble and Larry Taylor, have been traveling to K-12 schools across New Hampshire with several of their students this fall helping them conduct research on school climate and respectful schooling, and training teams of student leaders who will work with adults to improve school climate and safety. Their work is supported by the NH Department of Education as part of its APEX-Dropout Prevention Program. Resources and PublicationsLiving Democracy, a new introductory American Government text, was created "to help transform student apathy into activity". Each chapter of the textbook begins with an anecdote designed to grab the reader's attention. For example, the chapter on Civil Rights begins with an overview of the Supreme Court case Grutter vs. Bollinger. Written by Daniel M. Shea, Professor of Political Science and Founder of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College, Living Democracy aims to inspire students and help them experience the impact of government in their daily lives. Shea's co-authors are Joanne Green, Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of Women's Studies at Texas Christian University; and Christopher Smith, Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC) has published a report entitled, Integrating Collaborative Activities: Public Deliberation with Stakeholder Process. This report explores how leaders can create better solutions by combining collaborative governance activities - engaging the public in discussion and implementing their ideas through a representative group of stakeholders. The report examines cases in the United States where public deliberation has been integrated with stakeholder processes. The report concludes with recommendations for how future collaborative efforts can be shaped to maximize their benefits. The Partnership for Public Service will award five grants of up to $3,000 to assist Call to Serve member schools in building effective campaigns to promote federal service. In addition to the monetary award, each school will have the opportunity to seek guidance from one of the Call to Serve Recruitment Initiative institutions. Schools will also receive support from Partnership staff and resources. Applications are due November 16. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is accepting applications for the 2008 Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program. This is an opportunity for college seniors and recent college graduates who have a strong interest in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities, or who are themselves a member of a population that is adversely affected by racial and ethnic health disparities. During their nine-week experience, the scholars work in congressional offices in Washington, D.C., obtaining first-hand experience in the policy-making process and participating in seminars and site visits to enhance their practical knowledge of healthcare issues. Each scholar also writes and presents a health policy research paper in one of the following areas: Medicaid and the uninsured, Medicare, or HIV/AIDS. Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. The Institute is a summer internship program for outstanding undergraduate students active in service and interested in exploring careers in the nonprofit sector. The 2008 summer institute will be held from June 7 through August 2, 2008, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. This residential program offers a combination of nonprofit internship experience for 30-35 hours a week, academic learning, leadership development, and service projects in the nation's capital. To learn more, click here for more information or contact Ms. Patty Gentry, Program Coordinator, at [email protected]. State Farm created the Service-Learning Champion Award to recognize a non-traditional advocate of service-learning by acknowledging the valuable role played by a business or community leader who has partnered with youth in advancing the cause of service-learning. The award is designed to recognize a community member, business partner, or public official whose contribution was instrumental to the success of a youth led service-learning project. This annual award will be presented to the recipient at the National Service-Learning Conference in April in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Transportation, lodging, and conference registration costs for the award recipient will be provided by State Farm. The deadline is December 1, 2007. Website of the Month Smart Communities is a blog written by Suzanne W. Morse, the president of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change and the author of the book Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use Strategic Thinking to Build a Brighter Future. The Periclean Progress is issued each month during the academic year and is posted on the Project Pericles website. To subscribe, email us at [email protected]. To submit Periclean-related information for publication, email us at [email protected]. "CLAIMING THE LEGACY OF PERICLES"® Periclean Colleges & Universities Allegheny College • Bates College • Berea College • Bethune-Cookman University • Carleton College • Chatham University • Dillard University • Drew University • Earlham College • Elon University • Goucher College • Hampshire College • Hendrix College • Macalester College • Morehouse College • New England College • The New School • Occidental College • Pace University • Pitzer College • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rhodes College • St. Mary's College of Maryland • Spelman College • Swarthmore College • Ursinus College • Wagner College • Widener University • The College of Wooster National Office Executive Director: Jan R. Liss Board of Directors Chair: Eugene M. Lang Presidents' Council Chair: Brian Rosenberg, Macalester College National Board of Advisors Co-Chairs: Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke The title "Project Pericles ®," and its embodiment in the Logo, are registered service marks of Project Pericles, Inc. All rights reserved. |
Archives
June 2024
Categories
All
|
[email protected]
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions