Campus Compact has
honored 162 students from 32 states as 2012 Newman Civic Fellows. Among the honorees is Denita Badger of University
of South Carolina Beaufort. The Newman Civic Fellows Awards recognize inspiring college
student leaders who have worked to find solutions for challenges facing their communities.
Boston,
MA - Campus Compact’s
member college and university presidents from across the country have nominated
162 college
student leaders for the 2012 class of Newman Civic Fellows. These students are demonstrating their personal commitment to
creating lasting change for the better in their communities. Through service, community-based
research, and through advocacy, the 2012 class of Newman Civic Fellows are
making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves
and the root causes of some of the most pressing social issues that challenge
us all.
Denita
Badger at University of South Carolina in Beaufort demonstrates the type of
civic engagement that sets an example for others, shining a positive light in a
time when negativity has dominated much national conversation. Denita Badger is
a Human Services major at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. By the end of this spring semester, Denita
will have competed four Human Service internships of over 120 hours each. She served two internships
at the United Way of the Lowcountry. Another was coordinating a school
readiness project, reading to pre-school students at Penn Center and
coordinating early literacy services to 200 children. Her legacy service
project is revising and updating the Human Services Directory for our region.
Her commitment to civic engagement will continue after graduation when she
joins the U.S. Air Force.
As
a Newman Civic Fellow, Badger will join a network of Fellows around the
country. Together — sharing ideas and tools through online networking — the
Fellows will leverage an even greater capacity for service and change, and
continue to set examples for their classmates and others.
“These
students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic
leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education
can—and does—play in building a better world,” notes Campus Compact Board Chair
James B. Dworkin, chancellor at Purdue University North Central.
Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community
engagement, colleges are developing students’ public problem-solving skills,
such as the ability to analyze community needs, the willingness to participate
in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about
challenges, and the ability to inspire others to become part of solutions.
“Dr.
Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, had a tremendous impact on American
education and its role in the development of citizens who are eager and
prepared to make a difference,” explains Campus Compact President Maureen
Curley. “He dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education
reform and this new group of Newman Civic Fellows would have inspired him. They
are reflections and affirmations of his life’s work.”
Campus
Compact is a national coalition of almost 1,200 college and university
presidents—representing some 6 million+ students—who are committed to
fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education, that is, to improve
community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. For
more information about the organization and the award, visit www.compact.org
