Most new students arrived on campus a day or
two before the event. Classes didn’t even start until two days
later. But blocking off an entire morning during this very busy
time for incoming freshmen was quite intentional.
“We wanted to do this while students are settling in,” said
Dana College Dean of Students Chris Jebsen. “We want
to set it in their minds that they can do community service
all
through their years at Dana. One of our goals at Dana is
to prepare students to actively participate in and shape
society.
We hope
the actual Dana experience is meaningful for students, leading
them to keep service as a part of who they are.”
The
event was a kick-off to Dana’s year-long effort to
promote leadership through participation in one’s community.
“
This group of entering students made a real statement with
their participation Saturday morning in our community service
projects,” Jebsen
said. “There was genuine enthusiasm and interest in giving
up their time to serve. It’s definitely something I
hope we can build upon throughout the year as we attempt
to offer
more service-learning opportunities.”
Carlson said her
group, the on-campus recycling volunteers, were so enthusiastic
they were singing. The men in the group
handled cardboard recycling, while the
women sorted paper products.
“
We even got some magazines out of the deal,” she said. “People
had just thrown them out, even while they were still in the bags they came
in.”
Teaching students to be active participants in their communities is part
of what sets Dana apart from other colleges and universities.
“At Dana we prize service above self as a desirable
feature of character and leadership development,” said
President Dr. Myrvin Christopherson. “No
one escapes involvement at Dana. Hence, when they graduate, Dana alumni
tend to assume leadership roles in their schools, churches,
businesses, communities
and volunteer groups wherever they locate.”
The effects are already
being felt. When Carlson returned from the event, she checked out what
her residence hall had in the way of recycling bins.
She found
a sign that read “paper” and had an arrow pointing to nowhere.
So she found two boxes and made signs to indicate which was for white
paper and
which was for colored.
“
Sometimes people don’t realize you’re not supposed to mix them,” she
said.
— END —
Contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu |
