Helping out communities: Students are learning to give back to cities
Students are learning to give back to cities
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By Susan Simpson
Published: March 23, 2008
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.
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Students are blessed
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.
Preparing generations
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.”
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