Students are learning to give back to cities

Democracy doesn't just happen. The desire to serve others must be taught and cultivated, say university leaders who are pushing for their students to become engaged citizens.

From campus volunteer centers to mandates that students do community service, Oklahoma colleges are rea-ching out to a generation that many say is less trusting and less informed.

At East Central University in Ada, incoming freshmen must participate in a service learning project, often course-related, in order to graduate. Some students say they didn't need a mandate to get involved.

"I do it just to give back,” said Kristen White, an ECU senior who also works as a cosmetics sales representative. She's part of an honors group that next month will install hand rails in the homes of older and special needs residents of Ada. In previous years, she's planted flowers on campus and helped repair the homes of needy residents of a nearby community.

"I give back to my community because my community has given me so much,” White said.

University of Central Oklahoma President Roger Webb recently hosted a civic engagement conference on his campus. He said students like White understand they are blessed to live in a free and democratic society.

But many take their democracy for granted, Webb told participants at the American Democracy Project conference.

College students in the past have connected through adversity such as the Great Depression or a world war, said George Mehaffy, vice president for leadership and change at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. But even the war in Iraq hasn't had a personal impact on most Americans.

Universities are duty bound to educate students about their civic education and responsibilities, Mehaffy said.

"Our collective obligation is to prepare the next generation of active, involved citizens for our democracy,” he said.

UCO Provost William Radke said his campus is dedicated to "transformative learning” and helping students become productive, ethical leaders.

One of those students is Cyndi Munson, who volunteers for Girl Scouts by teaching in-school leadership skills to girls at Heronville Elementary School in south Oklahoma City.

"For me, it is about being there as a role model for the girls, showing them that if they continue with good behavior and building strong friendships, they can succeed,” said Munson, a senior at UCO.

She learned of the opportunity through the volunteer center at UCO. She said all students would benefit from such service.

"I believe as a student, this is the best time to give back to our communities as we are not in charge of a family or deeply embedded into work,” she said. "Right now we have the opportunity to change our lives by changing the lives of others.”