SERVICE LEARNING IS A BIG PART OF
DANA LIFE
Past successes lead to new
projects in the new year
Dana College is well known for its commitment to providing students
with lots of activities to expand their horizons. But those activities
aren't exclusively found outside the classroom. Many faculty members
have combined the college's commitments to participation and hands-on
learning into service learning projects required in classes.
Barb Zimmerman, assistant professor of psychology, has been pleased
to see her psychology students complete a course requirement with
five hours of time to the Blair Head Start program and go above
and beyond the required time. Some also volunteer at the Joy Preschool
in Blair.
As part of a grant proposal to bring Head Start to Blair, Zimmerman
said, both the Psychology and Education departments agreed to donate
student time to the program.
"So far it has worked out very well," Zimmerman said.
"The students enjoy it. It helps them to see how course concepts
apply to and are played out in real life and the community benefits
as well."
Dr. Susan Udey, associate professor of business administration,
requires her students to complete two hours of community service
per class each semester.
"Sometimes this is done with the Business Club," she
said. "One of our biggest projects last year was a food drive
for the Washington County Food Bank.
This year, Udey will be encouraging her students to help at both
Joseph’s Coat and the Food Pantry’s new location in
Blair.
Jan Potter, professor of social work and psychology, has been pleased
to see community involvement at Dana through the social work student’s
practicum work, which have been at a variety of agencies.
Potter also notes that the Social Awareness Organization at Dana
has completed many varied community service projects. One that was
particularly fun for the students involved was hosting a Halloween
party at Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
Dr. Karen Murch-Shafer, assistant professor of biology, had been
involved in a project at another college where students research
a project and then create a demonstration that can be taken out
into local classrooms and after-school programs.
Dana student Ashley Sorensen worked this past summer on the development
of similar service learning activities through Dana College. While
final details are being completed, Murch-Schaffer said that it may
be run through Dana’s Science Club.
"Students would be encouraged to use their imaginations and
to develop a ‘bio box’, where they develop laboratory
experiments that can be taken into the school," Murch-Shafer
said. "It’s a way to let the students do things like
dissections and other things to interact with younger students.
Besides learning and getting excited about science, the young students
seem to really enjoy just being around the college kids."
Dr. Lisa Schreiber, assistant professor of communication, notes
that she has seen many of her students volunteer time off-campus,
whether on their own or as part of small group classes.
"Senior communication majors have also done some great projects,"
she said.
Similar community service projects and volunteer efforts can be
found in many other campus organizations and as part of other college
coursework, proving that Dana’s motto, "Take Charge,
Develop Talents, Build A Future…We’re With You All the
Way," is more than just a slogan of words.
"Dana is dedicated to helping students grow not only in knowledge
and learning, but also in their faith and in service to others,"
said Dr. Myrvin Christopherson, president. "We aim to have
every student participate in and outside of the classroom. Participation
outside the classroom often leads to service in the community beyond
the campus. We’re very proud of the contributions our students
make through volunteer service."
Dana College is a place where all students actively participate.
They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives
of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community,
Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities,
and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about
their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business,
education, art and social work, among others, ensure that students
have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging
careers or placement in graduate school.
Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb.
To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.
Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge,
Build a future — We’re with you all the way.
— END —
For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu
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