Service-Learning Scholars Symposium

5:13 p.m., Aug. 15, 2006--Last year, eight undergraduate students made presentations about their summer research projects at the annual Service-Learning Scholars Symposium.

“This year, we've doubled that number,” Susan Serra, coordinator of UD's Office of Service Learning, said as she opened the symposium, Friday, Aug. 11.

She congratulated the 16 scholars about to give overviews of their summer work with various communities and said their research is “service as a commitment to the community.”

UD Provost Daniel Rich predicted the symposium would have to be held in a larger room next year as awareness of service learning spreads across campus. “Seven to eight hundred students are participating in service learning courses this year. Stay tuned,” he said.

Senior Stephanie Shaw makes a presentation on "Public Archaelolgy in Old New Castle."

Rich congratulated the service-learning scholars and their sponsors and said UD has the distinction of being an institution where learning is grounded in discovery. Discovery learning includes undergraduate research and study abroad. “UD prides itself on being the first U.S. university to develop a study-abroad program,” he said. “And now, we rank first in the nation for students studying abroad.”

But, while UD has long been an exponent of study abroad and undergraduate research, “what was missing was the addition of service learning, a critical part of discovery learning,” he said, noting that in 2004, UD's Office of Service Learning was created.

Rich thanked the community partners who work with students on their research projects and said they are an integral part of service learning. Together, he said, students and community organizations form “a bridge to better serve the communities we are part of.”

Student research presentations included:

“Teaching Mathematics and Studying Mathematics Teaching: Service at the Clarence Fraim Boys and Girls Club,” by Allison Lutz, junior, elementary education;
“Furthering Reading for Pleasure at the Latin American Community Center,” by Amanda Benton, sophomore, elementary education;
“Mentoring Through Disaster Recovery,” by Angela Dickinson, senior, elementary education;
“Project with the Fairmount Early Intervention Preschool and the Penn Children's Center,” by Yelana Bluestein, senior, psychology;
“Public Archaeology in Old New Castle,” by Stephanie Shaw, senior, anthropology/art conservation;
“Gulf Coast Recovery at Beauvoir and the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum," by Kimberly Crozier, senior, and Lauren Horelick, senior, both art conservation;
“Fair Trade and Market Development: People Helping People in the Business World,” by Christina Falcione, junior, marketing;
“Web Site for the Delaware Public Policy Institute,” by Shannon Moores, senior, English;
“Promoting Cultural Understanding Through Basketball,” by Lauren Carrigan, senior, Megan Hager, senior, and Mary Jane Schaaf, junior, all sport management;
“Understanding Motor Development Through Movement Education in Preschools,” by Mark Manz, senior; Taren Merselis, junior; and Kate Santino, senior, all health and physical education; and
“Project M.U.S.I.C. (Music Uniting Students Inspiring Communities),” by Brittany Snyder, junior, music management.

Article by Barbara Garrison
Photos by Duane Perry

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