An Engaged University

Valley Voices, p. B11 The Fresno Bee Saturday, April 22, 2006

At Fresno State, learning’s a giving thing

Since its beginning in 1911, California State University, Fresno has forged strong ties to the central San Joaquin Valley, serving the growing region’s many needs by collaborating with individuals, governments, schools and businesses.

But one area of community engagement deserves special attention as we prepare to mark National Volunteer Week beginning Sunday: the tens of thousands of hours donated by thousands of Fresno State students, faculty and staff who recognize that the strength and success of our Valley depends on every one of us taking an active role in the community where we live.

The university’s volunteer service each school year involves approximately 4,800 students, whose 192,000 hours make a difference for numerous agencies and provide an estimated $3.3 million economic stimulus to the region.

‘Hands-on learning’ Fresno State faculty and staff will log tens of thousands of volunteer hours this academic year, doing everything from hurricane relief in Louisiana to supporting ReadFresno’s efforts to improve the reading skills of struggling first- through third-graders.

Student volunteer work covers a broad range and includes:

 Two American Humanics students—Deborah Napoleon and Bryana Ballinger—applyed lessons learned in a grant-writing class at Fresno State to research, write and submit a proposal that won a $160,000 grant for Catholic Charities in Fresno.

 Dr. Richard Berrett, a professor of Child and Family Studies, worked with Stone Soup Fresno to arrange for his class to help coordinate and implement a summer program that gave the students a better understanding of family dynamics.

 Teams of marketing service-learning students received hands-on learning by developing and implementing marketing strategies to collect new and used books for ReadFresno which are provided to low-income children in local reading improvement programs.

 Students, representing a variety of majors, helped United Way ensure that grant-seeking agencies were effectively and efficiently using funds provided by United Way.

 A recreation administration and leisure studies student—Adriana Garcia—fulfilled internship requirements for her degree by coordinating a recreational after-school program at a Boys and Girls Club.

Hundreds of stories like those demonstrate the variety of Fresno State’s engagement with the community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. For example, tomorrow’s teachers spend thousands of hours as interns in classrooms and social work students at nonprofit and government agencies, learning skills that will help others after graduation and certification. The stories coincide with the university’s application for the new Carnegie Foundation classification of Community Engagement and are underscored by Fresno State’s recognition of students, faculty and staff, as well as a community partner for exemplary service to the community.

Fresno State’s commitment to student volunteerism also includes a Community Service Scholarship program made possible by the Radin Foundation. Students putting in 150 hours of volunteer service during a semester may apply for a $1,200 scholarship.

The university will honor 114 student volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor recognizing community service, during a reception Monday hosted by Fresno State President John D. Welty. He says he and the university are extremely proud to join the president of the United States in recognizing the volunteers who consistently take the time to make a difference in the lives of others.

‘A stronger America’ Volunteers strengthen America and inspire others to get involved, Welty says, adding Fresno State is pleased to honor our student volunteers who are answering the call.

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize valuable contributions volunteers make to our nation.

Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.

The American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program serves as Fresno State’s certifying organization of the award, allowing the university to nominate potential recipients and distribute the award to those who meet or exceed the award criteria.

Chris Fiorentino, director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning at Fresno State, calls each of the students receiving the President’s Volunteer Service Award “a role model for all of us” and notes that each hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others.

The volunteer work of its students, faculty and staff helps Fresno State live up to its belief that the strength and success of our Valley depends on every one of us taking an active role in being engaged with the community where we live.

-- Dr. Matthew A. Jendian is an assistant professor of sociology and director of the American Humanics Program at Fresno State.