Past Events
2007
WaterLINK Bioretention Project at University of Saint Mary - April 3, 2007
KSU VISTA Member Coordinates Multiple Alternative Spring Breaks - March 14, 2007
KU Presentation to TxCC National Conference - March 1, 2007
AmeriCorps*Kansas Collaborating with KSRE and Kansas PRIDE - February 18, 2007
Fort Hays State University VISTA Develops Leadership Programs - January 15, 2007
WaterLINK Grant Helps KSU Service-Learning Project - January 11, 2007
2006
USM Winter Alternative Break to New Orleans - November 7, 2006
"Volunteer opportunities offer post college experience, skills" Article - September 13, 2006
Kansas Campus Compact WaterLINK Coordinates Journalism Service-Learning - September 3, 2006
University of Saint Mary VISTAs Apply for the Presidential Honor Roll - September 1, 2006
"Program at KU helps integrate classes with community service" - August 25, 2006
WaterLINK Coordinates KSU Service-Learning at Fort Scott - August 24, 2006
Miss Kansas Speaks Out for Service-Learning - August 15, 2006
"The Corps Event: An Alternative Career Path" - April 17, 2006
Southwestern College Students Serve in Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort - April 14, 2006
Potwin PRIDE Youth Organization - April 1, 2006
Inclusive Leadership: Leading From Within - 10th Annual K-State Leadership Seminar - March 31, 2006
Fort Hays State Tigers In Service Hurricane Relief Alternative Break - March 18, 2006
National Issues Forum - New Media & Society: How to Restore the Public Trust - March 9, 2006
Communicating as Constituents - March 2, 2006
Raise Your Voice: Act Locally - February 23, 2006
Reflection on Service-Learning: Community and University Partnerships - February 22, 2006
Fort Hays State Tigers In Service Hurricane Relief Alternative Break - January 3, 2006
2005
The People Speak: America's Role in the World - November 28, 2005
Engagement & Service: The Community's College - November 16, 2005
Service-Learning Summer Institute - July 20-22, 2005
Water Quality Service Learning Fair - April 18, 2005
Spring Forth! Student Voice Workshop - April 15, 2005
Earlier Days
Students in Kansas Raise Their Voice - October 23-24, 2004
Kansas Joins the National Conversation on "The New Student Politics" - February 19, 2004
Kansas Joins Campus Compact - October 15, 2003
Earlier Days
Kansas Joins Campus Compact
Manhattan, Kansas
October 15, 2003
Governor Kathleen Sebelius added her signature to the Kansas Campus Compact, formally
recognizing the commitment of sixteen Kansas colleges and universities to community and public service through
higher education.
The Kansas Board of Regents joined the Governor and presidents of the member campuses in the Kansas Statehouse for the
official launch of Kansas Campus Compact. Following a charge from Liz Hollander, Executive Director of National Campus
Compact, the presidents signed the charter, establishing Kansas Campus Compact "for the purpose of reasserting the public
purposes and civic mission of higher education." Kansas is the 30th state, and most recent, to establish a compact and
affiliate with the national Campus Compact.
Reginald Robinson, President and CEO of Kansas Board of Regents, witnessed the charter on behalf of the Regents.
"We have a crying need for more civically-engaged citizens. And that's what Campus Compact is all about, and also
why it's so important," Robinson said. "For so many young people, the college experience -- whether public or private,
four-year or two-year -- provides that window of opportunity during which the habits of heart and mind are formed.
Through Campus Compact university presidents commit to seize that opportunity to help produce the kind of public-spirited,
civically engaged citizens we need as we move more deeply into the 21st Century."
As Governor Sebelius signed as witness to the charter, she called on all Kansans to act in service to one another. "Instead
of mountains and coasts we rely upon a more valuable commodity-community. What we share-what makes people want to move their
businesses and families here-is a unique quality of life. It comes from our willingness to take an interest in our hometowns,
our neighborhoods, and each other."
"I believe that public service is a noble calling. And, that all Americans and all Kansans owe it to themselves and their
neighbors to be involved in the affairs of their country, their states and their communities," the Governor stated.
"The Kansas Campus Compact is a confirmation of this spirit of community and participation. It commits the colleges and
universities who adopt it to teach the importance of civic involvement. I wholeheartedly endorse it and look forward to the
leaders it will help produce."
Top of Page
Kansas Joins the National Conversation on "The New Student Politics"
Multiple Kansas Sites
February 19, 2004
Five campuses in Kansas participated in a national teleconference
discussing the civic behaviors of college students.
Kansas Campus Compact sponsored public discussions in conjunction with the national teleconference at five member campuses:
Cloud County Community College, Fort Hays State University, Garden City Community College, Independence Community College,
and the University of Kansas.
"Across Kansas and the country, college students are participating in service in record numbers, but they're not
turning out at the polls. Participants of the teleconference explored why - are students opting out or forging
their own path? How do we tap this growing civic engagement among students to benefit our country's political process?"
stated Mary Hale Tolar, Executive Director of Kansas Campus Compact.
"There are a lot of controversial statements made about the motivations and behaviors of today's 18-25-year-olds,
heightened perhaps in this presidential election year. The discussion is a critical one - and one that should continue
beyond the teleconference," Tolar stated.
The national teleconference consisted of a panel of professionals, administrators, faculty, staff and students,
sharing their thoughts on civic engagement and responding to phone calls and emails from participants around the country.
Members of the campus and local communities continued the discussion exploring how the civic behavior of students affects
communities in Kansas.
The teleconference was one of several events taking place in Kansas as part of the national Raise Your Voice campaign.
Students from 18 college campuses in Kansas began planning for the Raise Your Voice - Month of Action back in October.
For information about the February 19 national teleconference, contact Kansas Campus Compact Executive Director Mary Hale
Tolar (785-532-6896 tel; 785-532-0671 fax; e-mail: mtolar@ksu.edu). For information about
the national Raise Your Voice
campaign, visit www.actionforchange.org.
Top of Page
Students in Kansas Raise Their Voice
Junction City, Kansas
October 23-24, 2004
Over 30 students from 17 colleges and universities across Kansas gathered outside Junction City on October
23-24 as part of the Student Civic Leadership Initiative (SCLI) hosted by Kansas Campus Compact.
"The purpose of SCLI is to support and promote students as powerful citizen leaders," said Mary Hale Tolar, Executive
Director of Kansas Campus Compact. "Students network with their peers, apply and further develop their skills, and explore
their ideas of leadership, citizenship, and coalition building."
A key component of the retreat was building ideas for Raise Your Voice, a national month-long campaign held in February
and March that educates college students on the importance of speaking out about various national and local issues.
"This training was an opportunity for student leaders to come together and raise their voices about the public issues that
matter most to them," said Nick Longo, National Student Coordinator of Campus Compact. "While no single issue dominated the day,
there was a general consensus about the importance of increasing the opportunities for collaborative action between students and
a need to tap into the talents of the students of Kansas."
"It's important to be involved right now because even though we are students, we're still members of society," said Tyson Moore
of Kansas State University. "If our voice isn't heard, then what are we here for?"
"Kansas Campus Compact brought together an impressive group of student leaders to work collaboratively on making Kansas a
better place," said Longo. "What I saw in these students is consistent with what we're finding from students around the
country-students today are not apathetic, as they are often popularly portrayed; rather, they are passionate, aware of
the benefits that come with diversity, and interested in getting things done."
Students left the Rock Springs retreat on Friday with contact information of student leaders across the state, along with a
listserv and print and web resources to aid their work in creating campus and community change. They created an action plan
for the upcoming academic year and will work with students, faculty and administrators at their home institutions and Kansas
Campus Compact staff to implement their plans.
The Student Civic Leadership Initiative is co-sponsored by the Kansas Service-Learning Consortium and Kansas Campus Compact,
as part of the Raise Your Voice: Student Action for Change Campaign (supported by Campus Compact, the Pew Charitable Trusts,
and Learn and Serve America).
2005
Spring Forth! Student Voice Workshop
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
April 15, 2005
Kansas Campus Compact hosted Spring Forth! - a day of presentations and workshops on the K-State campus
in Manhattan.
KsCC invited student leaders from each member campus to attend. Throughout the day, discussions and idea sessions
surrounding the development of on-campus and intrastate student civic engagement councils were generated.
Building off the success Kansas Campus Compact and many compact member schools experienced on February 1 at our Statehouse
event, Spring Forth! was a great next step in building a statewide network of campus leaders and engaged students working
together to strengthen the role of higher education in Kansas.
Water Quality Service Learning Fair
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
April 18, 2005
"Serving and Learning: Water Quality Improvement Through Community/University Partnerships"
Participants learned about new opportunities for water quality improvement actions based on service learning and
community/university partnerships.
- Welcome and Opening Remarks - Bill Hargrove, KCARE
- Community-Based Service Learning and Care for the Environment - Dr. Beth Blissman, Director, Center for Service and Learning, Oberlin College
- The Challenge of Water Quality Improvement in Kansas - Dr. Joe Harkins, Special Assistant to the Governor for Natural Resources
- Break-Out Sessions: Building Community/University Partnerships
- Reports and Conclusions
Sponsored by KCARE, Kansas Campus Compact, and the College of Education at Kansas State University; and KDHE; with partial funding from EPA 319 funds.
2005 Service-Learning Summer Institute
Tulsa, Oklahoma
July 20-22, 2005
A Service-Learning Summer Institute was held July 20-22, 2005 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This years event was named, Educating Citizens Through Service and Learning:
Celebrating 20 Years of Campus Compact. Faculty, administrators, community service directors, students and community partners were invited to join their colleagues and explore the practices, challenges, and rewards of service-learning and civic engagement. Kansas Campus Compact partnered with counterparts in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas to present this regional institute.
The People Speak: America's Role in the World
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
November 28, 2005
As part of the People Speak discussion series, an international event taking place in hundreds of communities, Kansas Campus Compact hosted a discussion about defining the U.S.-U.N. relationship for the 21st century. Discussion were lead by KsCC student coordinators Kourtney Bettinger and Trisha Gott.
Founded in 2003, The People Speak is designed to facilitate discussion on your campus and in your community on America's role in the world. The People Speak is an opportunity for university students, faculty and staff, administrators and members of the surrounding community to meet and discuss some of today's most pressing topics, including:
- American Power and Global Security
- Prosperity in a Global Environment
- Energy Choices and Environmental Challenge
KsCC and the United Nations Foundation provide funds, up to $300 per campus, for members to hold public forums.
Deadlines for funding requests for 2005 have not yet been set. If you would like more information, contact Kansas Campus Compact or visit
The People Speak website.
This is an excellent opportunity for student groups such as Phi Theta Kappa and debate/speech clubs, or classes in
political science or international affairs, to plan and hold a public forum. Relevant resources and funds are provided
and make this a quick and easy event to organize and a powerful exercise in civic dialogue for all.
Engagement & Service: The Community's College
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas
November 16, 2005
17 individuals from 9 community colleges attended this workshop conducted by Dr. Robert Franco. The workshop focused on how community colleges can incorporate and address the civic engagement and service-oriented expectations of the Higher Education Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities (HLC) and the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Systems Goal F.
 |
 |
Dr. Robert Franco is Director of Planning and Grants at Kapi'olani Community College, University of Hawai'i. He has provided service-learning and civic engagement training and technical assistance for more than 140 community colleges and universities in 31 states and three territories. He is also a Campus Compact Senior Faculty Fellow for Community Colleges completing studies on Indicators of Civic Engagement in America's Community Colleges and Service-Learning, Civic Engagement and the Liberal Arts Core. He currently contributing to an upcoming monograph, “Civic Engagement in a Diverse Democracy,” from AAC&U.
2006
Fort Hays State Tigers In Service Hurricane Relief Alternative Break
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
January 3, 2006
On January 2, 2006, 12 Tigers In Service volunteers and four Nurses Christian Fellowship members said goodbye to the normalcy of the rest of winter break and set off for New Orleans with a mission in mind: to help with the hurricane relief efforts. On January 3, we arrived at the Grace Disciples of Christ Church in Mandeville, LA, a short hour from New Orleans. Three days were spent “cutting and gutting” homes in the heart of one of the cities most drastically affected by Hurricane Katrina. Before home owners can even dream of rebuilding, their homes must first undergo the “cutting” process, which involves removing all the furniture and personal belongings that have been in the house since Katrina hit. Since the water levels rose up to the roofs of the houses, and stayed there for several days, all the items in the houses are extremely moldy, wet, and heavy. The next step is to completely “gut” the houses by taking out all the walls and ceilings, leaving only the wood structures to frame the houses. After the “cutting and gutting” process is complete, the home owners have hope for rebuilding.
Tigers In Service volunteers began the return trip home after completing the daunting task of stripping two homes. Volunteers were not only able to aid others by performing much needed physical labor while on this trip, but we also had the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from those who had escaped the hurricanes, lost friends and possessions in the tragedy, and who are now working towards the mounting goal of rebuilding. The owners saved anywhere from $6,000-12,000 of insurance money by having Tigers In Service volunteers “cut and gut” for them. While we saved a few people thousands of dollars, when we were in New Orleans, we learned that the greatest gift we gave was not the gift of physical labor, or even money; the greatest contribution we gave was hope. A bunch of college kids from Kansas caring enough to put their lives on hold to help others gives more hope to those who must live with the reality of the hurricanes than one could ever imagine. The people we encountered while in New Orleans have made permanent footprints on the hearts and lives of every volunteer who went on this relief trip. One specific image that comes to mind is that of a yard sign that was standing in the middle of all the destroyed homes, it read: “I am coming Home! I will rebuild. I am New Orleans.”
Reflection on Service-Learning: Community and University Partnerships
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
February 22, 2006
On Wednesday, February 22, the Center for Civic Leadership and the Fort Hayes State University (FHSU) Service-Learning Committee hosted the workshop, Reflection on Service-Learning: Community and University Partnerships. This workshop was designed for the Hays area community agencies, FHSU faculty members and students interested in service-learning. This workshop provided participants with the opportunity to learn more about academic service-learning, to build service-learning partnerships, and to discuss the experiences and successes of service-learning in the classroom and the community. Key speakers included FHSU Service-Learning Coordinator Jill Arensdorf, Interim Campus Compact Co-Executive Director Lynda Bachelor, and WaterLINK Coordinator Chris Lavergne.
Download PowerPoint Presentation:
Reflection and Assessment: Community Campus Partners in Service and Learning
Raise Your Voice: Act Locally
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan, Kansas
February 23, 2006
Participants learned how local government works and got tips on how to advocate their issues at the local level. A panel of local elected officials and community advocates share their expertise. The event was facilitated by Jayme Morris-Hardeman and sponsored by UFM.
Communicating as Constituents
Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
Manhattan, Kansas
March 2, 2006
Experienced legislators shared information on how to best advocate at the state level. Learn the most effective ways to make sure that your voice is heard. Participants gained insight into how the state legislature functions and how to facilitate change on issues that matter to them. The event was facilitated by Lana Oleen and sponsored by UFM.
National Issues Forum - New Media & Society: How to Restore the Public Trust
K-State Student Union
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
March 9, 2006
National Issues Forums (NIF) is a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored public forums for the consideration of public policy issues. Indeed, democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue. These forums offer citizens the opportunity to join together to deliberate, to make choices with others about ways to approach difficult issues and to work toward creating reasoned public judgment. For more information contact: UFM
Fort Hays State Tigers In Service Hurricane Relief Alternative Break
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
March 18, 2006
23 Fort Hays students will set off for Port Arthur, TX to continue aiding in hurricane relief efforts. While the winter break trip involved “cutting and gutting” homes, this effort will mostly consist of actual rebuilding. Through Disciples Home Missions, Tigers In Service volunteers will be helping out during the organization’s Week of Compassion effort. We will be among 100 volunteers who will participate in work such as roofing houses, putting up dry wall, laying floors, moving belongings, and much more. Currently there are over 250 requests awaiting service from hurricane victims in this area. We will be taking four 7-passenger vans, with one van mainly used for cargo space. The trip must be made in two days to accommodate the drivers and to arrive at our destination at the designated time on March 19. Five days will be spent working, and volunteers will arrive back in Hays by March 26.
The local television station (KBSH 7) also featured the Hays' Alternative Break:
It's a time when college students head to hot vacation spots. While many opt to hit the slopes or the beach, a group of Kansas students sees spring break in a different way. They're bound for the Gulf Coast and Chicago to help people in need. The students say they wouldn't have it any other way.
Six months ago hurricanes swept the Gulf Coast leaving debris and despair. The rebuilding effort is far from over. Something a group of Fort Hays State students know all too well.
"We cut and gutted two houses while we were down there. We'd walk outside of those houses and there would be a whole block of houses that needed the same thing," said FHSU Sophomore Justin Weigel.
They're heading back to help over spring break. At Christmas it was New Orleans, this time 28 students are bound for Port Arthur, Texas. It's part of Tigers in Service - a campus community service group.
Bunny Hayes is going on the trip. "We just hope to help them. Relieve some of their stress. And know that there are people far away from them that are thinking about them."
Some say these students are giving up their spring break. They don't see it that way. "You will carry the memories from the wild spring breaks, but this you have a sense of accomplishment," said Hayes.
Class is out, but these students know they're getting a valuable lesson this spring break anyway.
The Fort Hays State students leave for Texas Saturday. They'll meet up with 30 other students from other Kansas schools. All will stay at a local church. Another group heads for Chicago to volunteer at soup kitchens.
Inclusive Leadership: Leading From Within, Leadership Seminar
K-State Student Union Ballroom
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
March 31, 2006
INTRODUCTION TO INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: Learning about inclusive leadership and how to put it to work begins with a willingness to learn more about one's own purpose, direction, and values as a leader. An awareness of and tolerance for diverse points of view and value systems is critical to putting inclusive leadership to work. So is developing a leadership mind set built on a foundation that includes knowledge, skills, and a willingness to apply influence across cultural and contextual differences. Participants learned more about the concepts of inclusive leadership, eight essential skills, and five cultural mind sets of inclusive leadership development. Participants also had the opportunity to assess their personal development as an inclusive leader, explore the benefits and challenges of inclusive leadership, and learned more about strategies to resolve leadership dilemmas in the workplace and in communities.
Potwin PRIDE Youth Organization
Potwin, Kansas
April 1, 2006
The 2004 community of excellence evaluators encouraged Potwin to consider involving youth in leadership, including involving them in planning meetings and providing opportunities for leadership. In October, PRIDE member Melvina Jones attended a listening session by Kansas Campus Compact at Butler County Community College to explore the idea of linking college-aged students with local youth groups. After inviting a BCCC representative to a PRIDE meeting, Potwin PRIDE began to organize a youth group with the help of the college. It started with pizza and team building, and sharing the PRIDE mission and vision. The vision took fire, and the PRIDE youth group started to look for ways they could help in the community. Two adults volunteered to work with the youth group and three youth volunteered for the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry garden committee. In March, eight youth elected 
their own officers and made a list of projects they wanted to do besides helping with the ones already planned by the adults. Fourteen youth helped plant 90 pounds of potatoes in the garden. 11 youth helped take out the PRIDE surveys all over town and pick them up. 17 youth helped with the Adopt-A-Highway clean up and cleaned up around town. PRIDE furnished a pizza dinner after the clean-up. In April the youth had their own meeting and planned their first project. They set a workday for to clean up King Park. 17 youth and 4 adults scraped and painted the basketball goal post, swing set poles, BBQ grills, and the inside of the shelter. The city furnished the paint for the project. They fixed the basketball backboard and raked up a pickup load of sticks. Youth PRIDE representatives attended the PRIDE meeting in April to explore a Neighborhood Watch program. Starting a PRIDE youth group has led to the largest numbers of youth and young adults involvement in Potwin PRIDE.
Southwestern College Students Serve in Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
Winfield, Kansas
April 14, 2006
Thirty-five Leadership Southwestern students traveled to Pascagoula, Mississippi, to help with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief during their spring break.
Eastlawn United Methodist Church in Pascagoula coordinated the work and provided housing. While there, the students were involved with gutting homes, roofing, replacing installation, sheetrocking, installing wooden and ceramic flooring, scraping paint, building fence, and clearing debris. The students wrapped up their week sightseeing in New Orleans.
Director of Leadership Cheryl Rude was happy with what her students had taken from the trip.
“My students developed their ability to think critically as they wrote, discussed, and wondered about how the local people were making choice,” Rude said. “They learned lessons in ethical behavior as they reflected on whether or not insurance people feel shame; or why people try to profit off of others’ disasters. They learned lessons in leadership as they observed community members who sacrificed for the benefit of others and how local leaders continued to provide hope as the days drag on.”
Leadership Southwestern is a program focused on servant leadership. In the classroom, members learn about teams, ethics, and styles of leadership, then put into practice this knowledge through service projects. For more information on Leadership Southwestern, call (620) 229-6367.
Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. More than 1,500 students attend classes at the main Winfield campus; professional studies sites in Winfield, Wichita, and Oklahoma City; or online at www.sckans.edu.
“The Corps Event: An Alternative Career Path”
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
April 17, 2006
Peace Corps and AmeriCorps joined forces the week of April 17-21, 2006 bringing career and service information to the Kansas State University campus. Displays, testimonials, handouts and an information meeting brought both international and national service organizations together during National Volunteer Week.
AmeriCorps featured the need for VISTA members at our 6 KSCC sites (Fort Hayes State University, Garden City Community College, Independence Community College, Kansas State University, University of Kansas and the University of St. Mary) and K-State’s intensive Summer of Service for its Campus-Community Youth Service Corps.
Miss Kansas Speaks Out for Service-Learning
Butler Community College
El Dorado, Kansas
August 15, 2006
Miss Kansas 2006 Michelle Walthers spoke to a group of students, volunteers, faculty, and community partners about the importance of community service and service-learning initiatives being developed at colleges and universities throughout Kansas.
Kansas Campus Compact sponsored the “Community Engagement Conversations” on August 15th at Butler Community College (BCC), where Walthers earned her degree in Graphic Design. Walthers reflected on her service-learning experiences at BCC:
“It was such a fun and enlightening experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! We ended up raising over $6,000 in services and donations by the end of the project, and ultimately saved (the Safe House of Butler County) from closing completely.”
Michelle Walthers has received many academic honors and awards and plans to maintain her academic focus in pursuit of a graduate degree in Fine Art. However, her service-learning experiences at BCC have helped to solidify Walthers’ exemplary commitment to her role in every community service effort in the sphere of her influence.
Of the Conversations, she said, "Programs like Kansas Campus Compact have changed the way that I view community service forever. I've learned that contributing to making your community a balanced one is not only fulfilling, but in turn gives you a balanced life. As service-learning initiatives continue to grow, their impact will reach far into the future.”
For more information and a short biography about Michelle Walthers, Miss Kansas 2006, please visit http://www.misskansas.org/meetmiss/2006/ and tune into the CMT channel on January 29, 2007 to cheer her on toward the Miss America 2007 Crown!
WaterLINK Coordinates KSU Service-Learning Project at Fort Scott
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
August 24, 2006
Service-Learning Project by K-State Students
Provides Valuable Data, Saves Fort Scott At Least $30,000
What would the Army Corps of Engineers do?
That's the question that Alok Bhandari, an associate professor of civil engineering at Kansas State University, and students from his natural resources and environmental sciences capstone class pondered. As part of a service-learning project, Bhandari and the class were asked by Fort Scott city officials to determine the water capacity of Fort Scott Lake.
Built in 1958, the lake was originally constructed in response to several droughts in the early 1950s and to augment the Marmaton River, a source of water for Fort Scott and much of Bourbon County. Nearly 50 years later, the lake is currently facing water quality issues due to its residential area and agricultural use. Both have the potential to increase sediment load in the runoff waters, depositing large quantities of silt on the lake bottom.
"Fort Scott officials wanted to estimate how much water the lake has so they can make long-term plans for the city water supply," Bhandari said.
To determine the lake's water capacity, Bhandari and his students decided they could go the low-end route and conduct a simple study using a fish finder, or they could use the high-end, "Cadillac" option by conducting a bathymetric survey of the lake bottom, like the Corp of Engineers would do.
The students chose the bathymetric survey but there was only one problem: Professor and students did not have any idea what a bathymetric survey was, much less how to conduct one.
"I remember when we started working on the project, all of us -- including me -- had zero knowledge of what a bathymetric survey was," Bhandari said. "But very quickly, we learned what it was and how to conduct a survey."
A bathymetric survey looks at the bottom surface of a body of water to produce a topographic map.
Using highly technical equipment and software, the students were able to determine the rate of sediment accumulation in the lake. After contracting with Odom Hydrographic Systems Inc. to provide the survey equipment and training, the students were able to calculate the lake's current storage capacity and rate of sedimentation.
According to the survey findings, the original volume of Lake Fort Scott was 6,485 acre feet or approximately 2.1 billion gallons in 1958. The current storage volume was determined to be approximately 5,980 acre feet or 1.9 billion gallons. Bhandari said this loss of approximately 505 acre feet -- or 0.16 billion gallons -- of storage capacity due to sedimentation equates to a 7.8 percent loss in capacity over almost 50 years.
By having the class do the work rather than a consulting firm, Bhandari said the city saved at least $30,000.
"It was a student project, but it would have cost a lot of money had a consultant done it," he said. "I think that was good, valuable data for the city, which is obviously very happy."
Students involved in the project were Tyler Pjesky, May 2006 bachelor's graduate in biological and agricultural engineering and natural resources and environmental sciences, McPherson; Judson Gladin, May 2006 bachelor's graduate in landscape architecture and natural resources and environmental sciences, Oakley; Kevin Bergman, May 2006 bachelor's graduate in agronomy and natural resources and environmental sciences, Seneca; and Kyle Fitzgerald, May 2006 bachelor's graduate in landscape architecture and natural resources and environmental sciences, Kansas City, Mo.
The project was funded by WaterLINK, a Kansas Campus Compact project that works with colleges and community colleges to support service-learning projects that improve or protect water resources, and was co-funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It was one of two projects conducted by Bhandari's class. Other students in the class worked on a spill response project with the city of Manhattan. A project related to Manhattan's wastewater treatment facility is being planned.
Bhandari said service-learning projects are beneficial to both students and their clients if they fit into the scope of the course.
"If you can communicate to the students the worth of the project -- how this will help them learn the subject and learn it in a context -- it's just a win-win situation," Bhandari said. "If it doesn't fit into the scope of the course, things won't go well. If the instructor isn't able to adequately describe the project to students, they will find it busy work.
The feedback we got back was that our students were very capable and did a good job."
(Editor's note: Kyle Fitzgerald is a graduate of Jefferson West High School, Meriden.)
"Program at KU helps integrate classes with community service" Article
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
August 25, 2006
Volunteers in the AmeriCorps VISTA program are known for working with the poor.
But there’s a different type of Volunteers in Service to America group in Lawrence this year. Three VISTA volunteers are working at Kansas University as part of an effort to draw more students and faculty into service learning — in which a for-credit class is directly tied to helping solve a community problem.
The efforts can range from providing music therapy to designing a building for a nonprofit organization.
“A lot of faculty and students are already involved in the community, and we’re just trying to bring them all together,” said Cara Burnidge, one of the three volunteers.
Burnidge, a Washburn University graduate, along with KU graduates Corinne Fetter and Meghan Walsh are working full-time at the Center for Service Learning on the north edge of campus. AmeriCorps is paying them at a level just above the poverty line for their yearlong effort.
The Center for Service Learning existed last year, but it now has a full staff that includes Andi Witczak, director, and Jackson Sellers, assistant director.
 |
From left, Kansas University graduates Corinne Fetter and Meghan Walsh and Washburn University graduate Cara Burnidge are participating in the Americorps VISTA program at KU this year. The three work with KU faculty and students and coordinate volunteer service in the Lawrence community. |
One of its goals is to entice more students to obtain certification in service learning, which involves classroom experience, directed readings and an independent project. They hope to certify 150 KU students this year, up from 91 last year.
Another goal is to expand the number of service learning courses offered on campus. There are about 45 classes offered in 17 subjects including Spanish, political science, business and psychology.
Also, the center will help maintain contacts with community agencies.
Steve Kapp, associate professor of social welfare, has offered service learning courses for about six years. The courses have produced work such as helping Haskell Indian Nations University conduct research to evaluate a freshman transition program, and an outcome study for the Ballard Center.
Kapp said that tying community service to class work “formalizes the volunteer experience.” He sees the Center for Service Learning as a sign of KU’s commitment to expanding its reach into the community.
“It probably has the potential to have a big impact universitywide,” he said. “In certain parts of the university, it has been fairly popular. In other places it has been hard to figure out how to fit that into basic requirements people might have.”
More information about the center is available at www.servicelearning.ku.edu.
University of Saint Mary VISTAs Apply for the Presidential Honor Roll
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, Kansas
September 1, 2006
In late August 2006, the AmeriCorps*VISTAs at the University of Saint Mary applied for the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which is sponsored in part by Campus Compact and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Recipients of this award will be announced at the 2006 National Campus Compact Gala in Chicago. Good luck USM!
For more information on USM's application for the Presidential Honor Roll, click here.
In the Midwest, the University of Saint Mary is the civically engaged campus to watch. This small, faith-based university, located in Leavenworth, Kansas, has developed several service-learning programs that encourage civic engagement among its students.
As a member campus of Kansas Campus Compact, the University of Saint Mary (USM) has taken the opportunity to be the host site for two AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), a national service program that focuses on capacity-building and sustainability of non-profit organizations, such as Kansas Campus Compact (KsCC).
During the recent academic year, KsCC’s AmeriCorps*VISTAs Carroll Courchene and Sara Denny, in coordination with USM Campus Ministries, have helped to develop the University’s new Service-Learning Center. There, they have worked to develop civic engagement programs, as modeled by KsCC. One the most successful programs began as an Alternative Break program, which give students the opportunity to participate in service-learning programs during spring or summer breaks.
AmeriCorps*VISTAs Courchene and Denny developed two Alternative Break programs at USM, involving students in community service programs in Kentucky and Louisiana. The New Orleans Alternative Break was particularly popular among students, who spent their summer breaks helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina pick up the pieces of their disaster-struck lives. Sara Denny and Kate Faggella-Luby, campus minister, led the trip that included 17 students and three additional staff members. The group worked with Catholic Charities as part of “Operation Helping Hand” to help deconstruct decaying houses that had been left untouched nine months after the storm hit last August.
“In a lot of places we saw, it looked as if the hurricane only hit yesterday. There was such widespread destruction,” Denny said. “It’s hard to realize how big the devastation is until you see it. But it’s important for those that go to the area to come back and talk about it and keep people thinking about it.”
The number of participating students was more than double the amount of any previous USM Alternative Break. The trip included nightly reflection sessions, guest speakers, a tour of New Orleans, and a visit to the Historic French Quarter. The group stayed in a FEMA camp, and several partnerships were created between the USM and New Orleans organizations, including Catholic Charities of New Orleans, Our Lady of the Holy Cross College, and the Jesuit Katrina Relief Office. Awareness of the successful trip was spread through the University’s homepage and the USM magazine, Aspire.
“The experience was emotionally and physically exhausting. The hurricane and the devastation it caused will be in the history books—obviously—but hopefully what’s part of the history books is the response. The response of individuals like us,” Denny said. “It was awesome to see our students realize that they were part of that.”
AmeriCorps*VISTAs Courchene and Denny assisted in the planning and implementation of fundraising projects for USM’s Alternative Breaks. In addition to selling candy, raffle tickets, Finals’ Week Care Packages, and flowers at graduation, Courchene and Denny also sent out fundraising letters and raised over $1500. All funds secured in these fundraising efforts went to offset the cost of the Alternative Breaks. Denny chose to continue her national AmeriCorps*VISTA service for a second year at the University of Saint Mary, and she plans to lead another New Orleans Alternative Break.
USM’s Service-Learning Center is planning five Alternative Breaks this year, including trips to Guatemala, Denver, St. Louis, and Appalachia, Kentucky. However, the success and popularity of the New Orleans trip has led to further developments that could very well become a model for the University’s service-learning programs. Courchene and Denny have established working relationships with faculty members, and integrated the New Orleans Alternative Break with their efforts to expand service-learning curriculum. An innovative service-learning course named “God, Faith, and Natural Disaster” is now being offered at the University, and similar developments could soon apply to other trips.
With the goals of expanding civic engagement programs and service-learning curriculum at the University, Courchene and Denny are helping to develop a truly engaged campus in Leavenworth, Kansas. Because of their hard work, the Service-Learning Center of the University of Saint Mary continues to shine with great successes. Yet, these Volunteers In Service To America also manage a multitude of other sustainability, capacity-building, and publicity efforts for the AmeriCorps*VISTA Kansas Campus Compact project. The success of the New Orleans Alternative Break was achieved while also coordinating such programs as the Annual Service-Learning Fair, KsCC WaterLINK, Into the Streets 2006, National Youth Service Day 2006, and M3C Scholars, among others.
AmeriCorps*VISTA Carroll Courchene and Sara Denny have accomplished a lot in their short year of national service, and it is a wonder that, in such a short time, they have also cultivated and maintained the number of academic and community partnerships that are required of such successful programs. They have represented Kansas Campus Compact beyond expectation, although the non-profit organization hopes to hold these exemplary volunteers up as the new standard of excellence in the blossoming of civic engagement.
Kansas Campus Compact WaterLINK Coordinates Journalism Service-Learning
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
September 3, 2006
Today’s and Monday’s report on water in Douglas County grew from a partnership between the Kansas University William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, the Journal-World, 6News, World Online and WaterLINK, a service learning project funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment through the Environmental Protection Agency.
A class of seven KU journalism students spent this summer working on an in-depth, multimedia reporting project examining water quality issues in the Wakarusa River watershed. The watershed feeds Clinton Reservoir, a major source of water, flood control and recreation for the city of Lawrence and surrounding communities.
Professor Richard Musser, a Kemper Teaching Fellow whose students have won numerous national awards for their reporting and writing, taught the class. Funding from WaterLINK made it possible for KU to schedule this limited enrollment, specialized course.
The two-day series of stories tell a tale that is both reassuring and cautionary. Douglas County is lucky to have a resource such as Clinton Lake; one that should serve into the middle of this century. At the same time, however, if citizens and community leaders fail to be good stewards of that resource, we could all face a drier and less healthy future.
The complete series: Out of the Tap: Clinton Lake's Influence Flows Through the Region
"Volunteer opportunities offer post college experience, skills" Article
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
September 13, 2006
By Lacey D. Mackey
Kansas State Collegian
The career fair is approaching and for many it is a time for students to look for a job – or their first opportunity to give back.
Working as a volunteer is one way students can spend their time out of college.
Kerri Keller, director of Career and Employment Services, said graduates can find opportunities to volunteer through faith-base, nonprofit or activist organizations.
“There’s a great need in the nonprofit sector – a need for students to come out and take on full-time positions,’ Keller said. “It’s a great way to volunteer, to meet and network with other people.”
Getting involved early in a student’s college career also can be helpful.
“I think for the freshman and sophomore students, volunteer experience is a way to gain some skills and relative experience to help you to be competitive in scholarships or internships,” she said.
Finding volunteers interested in improving their community is vital, Keller said.
“I also would say that employers are very interested also in employees that are aware of the needs in their community and are very civic-minded,” she said. “That says something.”
Graduates can find volunteer opportunities with organizations like the Peace Corps, which takes volunteers across the globe, allowing them to help groups in various areas.
Another opportunity closer to home is the AmeriCorps, a national organization, bringing people into service opportunities in education, public safety, health and environment.
Lynda Bachelor, AmeriCorps Kansas project director said she has seen volunteers work in all types of areas with various projects. After dedicating time to AmeriCorps, Bachelor said volunteers are given an education award, which can be applied to tuition, student loans or other educational expenses.
“It’s just a good alternative to jumping into full-time employment,” she said.
Árpád Szentkirályi, AmeriCorps vista leader of Kansas Campus Compact, said he wanted to work with a nonprofit organization when he first started with AmeriCorps.
“I was trying to find some kind of a niche, some kind of focus,” he said.
In his second year with AmeriCorps, Szentkirályi said the organization encourages volunteers to become engaged citizens.
“There is so much more of a professional development than I could have ever imagined,” he said.
USM Winter Alternative Break to New Orleans
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, Kansas
November 7, 2006
The Service-Learning Center and Campus Ministry at the University of Saint Mary are co-sponsoring an Alternative Break to New Orleans to help with hurricane recovery. Sara Denny and Melissa Netzer from the Service-Learning Center and Heather Coates from Campus Ministry are coordinating the trip.
The trip is scheduled for December 14-19, and the group will be working through Catholic Charities of New Orleans “Operation Helping Hands” program. Much of the service will include removal of debris and mold to help the elderly, disabled, and those without financial means to reoccupy their homes. The trip will also consist of a diverse set of activities including a tour of New Orleans and a visit to the historic French Quarter. Important to the trip and the concept of service-learning, nightly reflection sessions led by staff members and student leaders will be held. These reflections will include discussions of faith, social justice, and economic and political factors as well as the feelings about the service and trip.
Our offices would like to invite you to join us on this trip. For each school, we have space for 5 students accompanied by a faculty/staff member from the sponsoring institution or campus organization. In addition, we ask you to meet with students for pre-service reflection and orientation. There will be a $50 deposit and the sponsoring institution/organization will need to arrange for transportation to Leavenworth. We will work with each leader to coordinate transportation to New Orleans, the final cost and pre-reflection details.
If you are interested in participating in this trip please contact Sara Denny or Melissa Netzer in the Service-Learning Center (information below) to ask questions or to sign up for the trip. The deadline for the final count of participants will be December 1st. We hope to make this a well attended trip!
Thank you.
Contact Info:
Sara Denny, AmeriCorps*VISTA Service-Learning Specialist
Service-Learning Center, University of Saint Mary
Phone: 913.758.6112
Email: dennys@stmary.edu
Melissa Netzer, AmeriCorps*VISTA Service-Learning Specialist
Service-Learning Center, University of Saint Mary
Phone: 913.758.6112
Email: netzerm@stmary.edu
WaterLINK Grant Helps KSU Service-Learning Project
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
January 11, 2007
By Beth Bohn
KSU Media Relations
K-State Professor's Grant Helps Students With Community Service -Learning Project
Benefiting Several Kansas Communities
A community service learning project has helped public relations students at Kansas State University gain some real-life experience in their field and provide useful materials to educate the public on water-related issues across Kansas.
Students in Nancy Muturi's Public Relations Campaigns course spent the fall 2006 semester developing and implementing a communications campaign about storm-water drainage in Manhattan for the city's Public Works Department, and a communications campaign for the Kansas PRIDE program on ecosystems health and clean water management that is being used in Greeley, Melvern and Rossville. Kansas PRIDE is a K-State Research and Extension program that serves rural communities.
The students' work was made possible through a $10,000 grant from WaterLINK, a Kansas Campus Compact project, to Muturi, an assistant professor in K-State's A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass communications.
"Staff from WaterLINK, Kansas PRIDE and the Department of Public Works made presentations to the class to provide context, then the students designed and implemented the communication campaigns," Muturi said. "The process included research and the development of communication material, including posters, pamphlets, logos used in the materials produced, public service announcements now airing on several radio stations, newsletters and more."
Students evaluated their work during the last week of the course, including going back to the communities involved to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns.
Muturi said students have produced enough materials for the projects to use for several years. They also came up with templates for newsletters, as well as a logo that the Manhattan Department of Public Works has adopted for its project.
"This was the first time students were able to design a real campaign and work with a real budget. They were evaluated on how well they spent the grant, as well as the whole process," Muturi said. "In the last week of the course, representatives of all the stakeholders were invited to a presentation and to hear the students' recommendations on how the projects should proceed."
Along with Muturi, others assisting with the project included Chris Lavergne, WaterLINK project coordinator; Sherry Davis, Kansas PRIDE; and Steve Hampton, storm-water management project. Julie Lea, vice president for communications and development services, Kansas State University Foundation also provided students with a presentation on how to work with nonprofit organizations.
Students, all public relations majors, who participated and their project include:
Rebecca Rogers, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Arkansas City, Kansas PRIDE; Sarah Pritchard, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Augusta, Kansas PRIDE; Megan Halderson, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Delphos, library; Tara Nelson, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Derby, storm-water management; Stacia Williams, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Florence, Kansas PRIDE.
From Manhattan: Melissa Gore, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Kansas PRIDE; Lisa Hummel, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Kansas PRIDE; and Michael Sukup, senior, storm-water management.
Ashley Martin, senior, Salina, library; Heather Kautz, senior, Shawnee, library; Lesli Clark, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Silver Lake, library; Sarah Erskine, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Topeka, storm-water management; Krista Biddle, senior, Kansas PRIDE, and Erin Learned, senior, library, both of Wichita; and Julie Roller, December 2006 graduate, Woodbine, library.
From out-of-state: Lauren Bishop, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Littleton, Colo., Kansas PRIDE; Maureen Thomsen, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Omaha, Neb., storm-water management; Jennifer Orta, senior, Sturgis, S.D., storm-water management; and Megan Green, December 2006 bachelor's graduate, Richardson, Texas, storm-water management.
Fort Hays State University VISTA Develops Leadership Programs
Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
January 15, 2007
AmeriCorps*VISTA Cari McGrath, serving at FHSU's Kansas Youth Leadership Academy (KYLA), is developing a new leadership program for student athletes. Leadership On & Off the Field: Leadership Development for the Student Athlete is designed to provide Kansas high school student athletes with comprehensive leadership training. KYLA has already secured several session facilitators/trainers and three keynote speakers for the first conference who include: Will Baker, Bill Snyder, and Bob Anastas.
This program has two objectives: first, to nurture and enhance the leadership behaviors that many young student athletes are beginning to display; and second, to help student athletes transfer these skills from the athletic arena to other areas of their lives. Utilizing leadership experts, coaches, athletic directors, and community leaders from across the country, this specialized curriculum focuses on character development, leadership and teambuilding skills, and citizenship.
Kansas Campus Compact is proud to Spotlight the exemplary work of Cari McGrath and the KYLA!
Top of Page
AmeriCorps*Kansas Collaborating with KSRE and Kansas PRIDE
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
February 18, 2007
K-State Research and Extension (KSRE), Kansas PRIDE, and AmeriCorps*Kansas (sponsored by Kansas Campus Compact) are working to link college students returning home for the summer to work with youth in their home communities. Extension offices will be mentors to the students as they work as AmeriCorps members engaging youth in community development through leadership and service. Working through the AmeriCorps program, a college student would receive training, an education award, and a living wage in return for their service coordinating youth community development programs. College students and community members are encouraged to contact their County Extension offices to find out more about this Summer of Service experience.
Please see the "Youth Leadership and Community Development" article in the recent PRIDE Newsletter. If you know of someone from your community who would provide strong leadership for other local youth, and if you would be interested in learning more about serving as a host and mentor with this program, please contact Dan Kahl or Lynda Bachelor.
KSRE, Kansas PRIDE, and the AmeriCorps*Kansas program is also developing state-wide participation in this year's National and Global Youth Service Day. For more information on this and other KsCC Programs Spotlights, click here and contribute your efforts on this national day of service.
KU Presentation to TxCC National Conference
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
March 1, 2007
The Texas Campus Compact National Conference on Civic Engagement (Creating Agents of Change: Redefining Politics through Leadership and Civic Engagement) was pleased to audience a research presentation by Jackson Sellers, Assistant Director of the KU Center for Service-Learning and former VISTA Member. Current KU VISTA Members Cara Burnidge, Corrine Fetter, and Meghan Walsh assisted.
The presentation, titled Fulfilling Whose Mission? Determining Faculty, Student, and Community Wants and Needs for Service Learning, addressed the assessment instruments that the KU Center is applying to its service-learning programs. Focus areas of the research presentation included service-learning, evaluation/assessment, and community-partner roles in service-learning.
In presenting his research, Sellers asked, "How does one assess student, faculty, and community partner attitudes and behaviors (and needs) about an institution’s service learning program?" Grounded in Furco’s and Bringle and Hatcher’s models of institutionalizing service learning, he discussed the development, implementation, and analysis of data instruments (survey and interview questionnaires) in his assessment of KU service-learning programs. Sellers, Burnidge, Fetter, and Walsh also discussed the implications of determining programmatic priorities.
The presentation audience was imparted with understandings of the importance of faculty, student, and community involvement in setting goals for an institution’s service learning initiative; the development of programmatic standards with faculty, student, and community input; the use of appropriate assessment mechanisms to determine stakeholders’ wants and needs; adaptive instruments (survey and interview questions); and, the significance of articulating institutionalization needs, status, and efforts.
Jackson Sellers, former KU VISTA Member, serves as Assistant Director of the University of Kansas Center for Service-Learning. He has spent a number of years working for education research and administration agencies in Washington, DC. An alumnus of Georgetown University, Jackson is currently pursuing graduate work in political science at KU.
Cara Burnidge joined the KsCC VISTA Project as a KU VISTA Member after graduating from Washburn University in 2006 with a BA in History. While at Washburn, Cara completed a Gold Certificate in Leadership, and interned for the Kansas House of Representatives. Following her service, Cara plans on pursuing a PhD in History.
Corinne Fetter joined the KsCC VISTA Project as a KU VISTA Member after graduating from KU with a BA in Psychology and a BGS in Journalism. While at the University of Kansas, Corinne advised students for the Office of Study Abroad, and conducted research in the Psychology department. Following her service, Corinne plans on pursuing social work.
Meghan Walsh joined the KsCC VISTA Project as a KU VISTA Member after graduating from KU with highest distinction in 2006, with a BGS in Religious Studies and Sociology. While at KU, Meghan was a youth leader at Trinity Lutheran Church. Following her service, Meghan plans on attending law school.
KSU VISTA Member Coordinates Multiple Alternative Spring Breaks
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
March 14, 2007
Patrick Simpson, KSU VISTA Member serving K-State's Community Service Programs, is coordinating multiple Alternative Spring Break trips this semester. More than 80 K-State students will be participating in the Alternative Break programs during Spring Break week of March 18-24, 2007. The program gives students the opportunity to spend their break, participating in community service activities across the country. This year's K-State students are serving in Dallas, Omaha, Chicago, and New Orleans.
Alternative Break is an opportunity for K-State students to participate in an intense service experience that provides hands-on learning and develops a student's sense of identity, community and responsibility. Participants will travel to a community where they will work with local residents to address a pressing social issue. "Students come to K-State to learn, and spring break is a time to get away from the textbooks, but they shouldn't stop learning," says KSU VISTA Member, Patrick Simpson.
Congratulations, KSU VISTA Program, on this superb coordination!
Going back to the Big Easy (part 1):
Volunteers to lend time, efforts to help rebuild New Orleans next week
By Heather Hickerson
K-State Collegian
Most people think of lying on a beach in Mexico or gliding down the slopes in Colorado as spring break activities; performing hard labor is probably not what springs to mind. However, some K-State students are doing just that.
Campus groups Christian Challenge, Campus Crusade for Christ and K-State's Community Service Program are sending teams of students to the hurricane-ravaged city of New Orleans to volunteer in rebuilding efforts during spring break.
"This is an incredible opportunity for K-State students to see what an impact they have on people's lives," said Ali Johnson, senior in public relations and volunteer with the community service program.
Though it has been 19 months since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the city's residents need help to rebuild homes and businesses.
"We will assist in residential rebuilding efforts among people who don't have the resources or ability to rebuild their own homes," said Dave Gevock, sponsor for Christian Challenge. "We will help with rewiring houses, insulating, hanging drywall, painting and roofing work. Along with the physical work, we will also take time to listen to the stories of the residents and do what we can to give them hope."
For many of the volunteers, this will not be the first trip to the devastated area. Johnson said this will be her third trip as a volunteer. She spent spring break last year with the community service program gutting houses for the elderly and disabled. She also volunteered with St. Mary's University of Leavenworth, Kan., during winter break.
With many of the homes abandoned and rotting, people in New Orleans welcome the volunteers.
"The city and its people are still hurting, and they will continue to feel the effects of Katrina for years to come," said Megan Prothe, senior in social work and volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ. "The people there are some of the most amazing people I have ever met."
This will be Prothe's fourth trip leading a group of volunteers. She spent last spring break, part of last summer and part of winter break gutting houses, hanging drywall, roofing, painting, cleaning and remodeling. She also spent time with Toys for Tots helping to pass out presents to children, she said.
"Something inside your heart changes when you walk among the people, even for just a few days," Gevock said. "The most challenging part has been feeling like our labor is so little and the task is so large."
With government agencies and insurance companies slow to respond, the people of New Orleans look to volunteers for help.
"New Orleans will be rebuilt, not by government agencies but by caring individuals," Gevock said.
Students interested in helping still can contact any of these groups. Prothe said she encourages students to get involved.
"I feel like this is the best time in our lives to make an impact," she said. "There is nothing like the feeling that you get when you know that you are helping someone get their life back. It's unforgettable."
Patrick Simpson, AmeriCorps VISTA in civic leadership at K-State, talks to members of a group he will lead to New Orleans. The group and other K-State organizations will volunteer during spring break. (Media Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel)
Members of the group receive shirts at its meeting at Bluestem Bistro Tuesday evening. Groups of KSU students will clear out houses in an area of New Orleans severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. (Media Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel)
Going Back to the Big Easy (part 2): Students find alternative spring breaks
By Heather Hickerson
K-State Collegian
Spring break is approaching and many K-State students can't wait to take a break from studying and get away for awhile. But some students will spend their breaks helping others.
"Students come to K-State to learn, and spring break is a time to get away from the textbooks, but they shouldn't stop learning," said Patrick Simpson with AmeriCorps VISTA at K-State.
Simpson works with students to organize volunteer service projects through alternative spring break, a sub-group of K-State's Community Service Program.
"My job is to combat poverty by engaging students to volunteer," he said.
Alternative spring break is a completely student-led organization, he said.
"I only help them find places to stay and guide them to agencies they might work with," he said.
This year, alternative spring break will send about 72 students to four cities in the United States. A team of seven students will go to Omaha, Neb., 10 students will go to Chicago, and 13 students will go to Dallas. The largest group, 49 students, will go to New Orleans to help with the rebuilding efforts in the city since Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005.
Chicago
Maria Mai, sophomore in pre-nursing, is coordinating the students for the Chicago trip. Mai said they will volunteer at a women's shelter, the food depository, Deborah's Kitchen and the park districts.
Mai said she feels it is beneficial for all K-State students to volunteer.
"It is important for K-State students to volunteer because it shows them the meaning of accomplishment," she said. "You feel good after you volunteer, and it also makes you realize how privileged you are to get to attend college. I think everyone should volunteer and give their time to people who need their help."
Dallas
Matt Combes, junior in social work, will lead the group of students to Dallas. Combes' group will work at the AIDS Services of Dallas. They will interact with AIDS patients and their families and help with other projects, he said. "We will be working on landscaping, painting apartments and building projects," he said. "Last year we built a table and started a mural. If the weather holds, we can finish that mural this year. Also, one night we have a game/pizza night planned with the kids."
Omaha
Jennifer Kinkade, sophomore in animal sciences and industry, is organizing and leading the group to Omaha where they will build houses with Habitat for Humanity.
Kinkade said she felt students should give back to their communities.
"Volunteering is the best way to give back to the community," she said. "Spring break is a great time to volunteer because we don't have classes or regular school activities, so you have the time."
Kinkade said students should get involved in their communities, if they cannot give much time.
"If you can't dedicate the whole week," she said, "find some place to volunteer in your hometown or Manhattan."
The alternative spring break program always is looking for students and project ideas for the breaks, Simpson said.
"The program has grown immensely," he said. "We welcome any student to participate and bring an idea to us. If anyone out there wants to get involved, all they need to do is ask.
For more information, please visit Alternative Breaks and K-State's Community Service Programs, and visit the Gulf Coast Civic Works Project, Katrina Coalition, Katrina Networking, Catholic Charities, Citizen Action Team and Real People Relief to explore ways of supporting Gulf Coast relief efforts.
The Gulf Coast still needs our help!
WaterLINK Bioretention Project at University of Saint Mary
University of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, Kansas
April 3, 2007
Service-Learning Project Benefits Students, Community and Water Quality
Kansas Water Office
Online Hydrogram
The grass patch at the lower end of a parking lot on the University of St. Mary campus in Leavenworth, Kansas was just a patch of grass to students and visitors who parked there. To University of St. Mary professors of chemistry, history and biology and the service learning coordinator, it was a site that would allow the transfer of classroom education into a hands-on learning experience with community and watershed water quality benefits.
Native plants were selected for the bioretention cell
because of
their ability
to withstand the vagaries of Kansas weather.
Chemistry professor Melanie Harvey saw an opportunity to collect and analyze parking lot water samples, both before and after it ran through an envisioned green plant filter strip, or bioretention cell. History professor Ken Mulliken, who teaches a human geography class, envisioned a way to teach students the impact of human’s actions on natural resources. For biology professor Caroline Mackintosh, the strip of land afforded a chance to acquaint students with native Kansas plants, their characteristics and their effectiveness as a water cleansing filter.
The situation also was perfect for Melissa Netzer, a VISTA volunteer, who coordinates the University of St. Mary’s campus service-learning center. She saw it as a possibility to engage WaterLINK, a statewide program that encourages blending of community-based learning on college campuses with community water quality improvements.
 The bioretention cell on the University of St. Mary campus, Leavenworth, is one of 25 WaterLINK service-learning projects on eight campuses coordinated by Chris Lavergne based on the Kansas State University campus. Since the program started in 2005, more than 600 students have taken part in the program. |
The project began last year with students from the human geography class charged with designing the bioretention site, and planting the plants. New to the concept, they gained support from Chris Lavergne, the coordinator of WaterLINK, who was engaged in a service-learning project of his own. He was a student in the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program (KELP) and saw the University of St. Mary endeavor as one where his KELP Applied Leadership Project team could be helpful. “It is a great partnership,” says Lavergne. “My fellow KELP class members and I had the easy part. We designed and placed the interpretive sign. The St. Mary students had the hard work of planting.” Lavergne, as coordinator of WaterLINK, has advised and assisted 25 service-learning projects on eight campuses across the state. Since the program started in 2005, more than 600 students have taken part in the program. WaterLINK is funded through Environmental Protection Agency 319 funds administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Not everything went as planned, but that’s part of the learning experience. Limited rainfall didn’t allow for as much water quality sampling as anticipated and not enough of the drainage flowed through the initial bioretention cell site. Plans are to expand the site this spring to catch more runoff contingent on finding the desired native plant species. Additional lessons will be learned by the students as they prepare for a campus and community wide open house at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26 in the Walnut Room of Meade Hall. |
“Students know the routine of textbooks and tests. Having to coordinate and present at a public event is another matter,” says Netzer, service-learning center coordinator. “They’ll be responsible for publicizing the event, presenting information on what they’ve done and explaining the value of a bioretention cell.” Information on WaterLINK and service-learning also will be presented.
An interpretive sign explains the value of a bioretention cell to filter water runoff from a parking lot
on
the University of Saint Mary campus, Leavenworth. USM students involved in WaterLINK
planted
the native vegetation and members of the Kansas Environmental Leadership
Applied Leadership Project team designed and erected the signage.
The bioretention cell is a cooperative effort of the University of St. Mary; Kansas Environmental Leadership Program; Kansas State University Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; Prairie and Wetland Center, Belton, Mo.; Kansas WaterLINK; Leavenworth County Conservation District; and the City of Leavenworth Water Pollution Control. WaterLINK is underwritten by Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s 319 EPA grant program and the signage was paid for from State Water Plan Fund through a Kansas Water Office contract withthe Kansas Environmental Leadership Program.
Steps to involvement with WaterLINK
WaterLINK, a project funded by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, blends community-based learning in the college classroom setting. The goal is to improve communities’ water quality, a factor directly related to watershed conditions and corrective actions that crosses academic disciplines.
Both students and the community benefit from service-learning projects. Faculty members gain by adding a hands-on element to their teaching program and interacting with local community members.
Mini-grants are available to colleges and universities to conduct projects. The grants range from $250 to $5,000 depending on project size. Applications may be downloaded from www.ksu.edu/waterlink.
Projects undertaken in WaterLINK are intended to connect educational programs with community or watershed groups engaged in the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) process. More information on WRAPS is available at www.kswraps.org or www.kdheks.gov.
To learn about WaterLINK projects, check out www.ksu.edu/waterlink.
PRESIDENTS
EMPLOYMENT