Center for Community Engagement and Annual Report 2012-13 Service Learning (CCESL) CCESL’s team of Civic Leaders started Geneva’s Superintendent Trina Newton recipro- the year off at a low-ropes course near Keuka cated the enthusiasm of an academic year kick- Lake, where they had the opportunity to get to off by hosting our new Provost Titi Ufomata at the know each other and received a copy of Alan inaugural Geneva City School District convocation. Khazei’s “Big Citizenship - How Pragmatic Ideal- In the spirit of our commitment to local youth, and for the second consecutive year, we hosted 300 ism Can Bring Out the Best in America.” Each member of this vibrant cohort of students serve sixth- and ninth- graders enrolled in the Geneva as leaders in community initiatives, and they public schools. We also officially launched the were thrilled to hear from Khazei when he spoke Geneva 2020 initiative. President Mark D. Gearan convened more than 100 community leaders in the on campus as a President’s Forum Speaker in Geneva Lakefront Playground build. October. Khazei’s concept of “pragmatic ideal- Vandervort Room around the theme of collective ism” came alive this fall when the community, with lead support impact, where we committed as a community to address chal- from the Colleges, built the Geneva Community Lakefront Play- lenges that face children relating to literacy and career and college ground. Though the time-lapsed build shows most of the play- readiness, so that we may positively impact the graduation rate. ground construction occurred in less than 12 hours, the leader- Our team of Civic Leaders works individually and collectively ship team had been working collaboratively for more than a year with community leaders, these partnerships serve as powerful to determine a central and accessible location, involve children in examples of what can we can accomplish when we clearly identify the design, fundraise, and engage hundreds of volunteers. needs, build upon strengths, and strategically collaborate. To- The theme of school success was another strong focus this gether, our students spent nearly 80,000 hours and helped raise year, exemplified when leaders from the Geneva City School Dis- $188,000 to support the mission and capacity of local, national, trict attended the HWS Convocation. and international non-profit agencies. The construction of the Together we heard Charles Best’s inspiring story of found- Geneva Community Lakefront Playground and Geneva 2020 ing donorschoose.org. Best established his organization as a launch are reminders to our students that although their time in social studies teacher in the Bronx in 2000 when he realized that Geneva is relatively short, those four years are formative, where donors, if asked, would contribute to specifically identified needs they build citizenship skills and take steps closer to leading lives in a classroom. of consequence. Compass Step 1 Community Service The 8th annual community barn sale from Residential Education, for raises $6,346 and finds new uses for their attention to the goals of thousands of items. the Community Barn Sale during HWS collective efforts helped to divert the “move-out” process and for usable items from the landfill, promoted a the continued partnership of culture of sustainability, and raised funds the outstanding Buildings and for the United Way of Ontario County. This Grounds staff, Campus Safety, year, we raised a total of $6,346, which was Sodexo, United Way staff, HWS Executive Director of Ontario County United Way Kari Buch assists a an $884 increase from last year, bringing Sustainability Manager James happy customer at the barn sale. the grand total to $39,608 since the Landi, and Civic Leader Emily Vollo ’14 for program began. The Canandaigua National her leadership as the Community Barn Sale performances including children’s and Bank doubled the amount raised as part of student coordinator. adult choirs, instrumentals and hip-hop its Challenge for Children campaign so the A collaborative effort between the and Latin dance. In total, more than 80 actual total was $12,692! Geneva City School District and Hobart and local groups and clubs were represented We’d like to especially recognize the William Smith Colleges, the sixth annual through music, games, performances and outstanding Resident Assistants and staff Festival of Nations featured diverse musical presentations. Attendees were introduced to Community Service continued As part of the “13 Days to Graduation” service project, Provost and Dean of Faculty Titi Ufomata, Assistant HWS seniors place bricks at the Geneva Community Athletic Director and William Smith Field Hockey Lakefront Playground, completing construction Coach Sally Scatton and William Smith Field Hockey Students enjoyed Festival of Nations on April 20 at that began in fall 2011. The bricks were donated by Assistant Coach Sophie Dennis ’07 joined other the Geneva Middle and High School. members of the greater Geneva community. members of the HWS community in creating lunches for the Community Lunch Program at the United Methodist Church. Thursdays in October and February as well, and over 40 students and staff contributed 115 hours to the Community Lunch Program. the traditions, music, art and foods of the civic engagement. HWS students Richie project, community members painted at Asian, Caribbean, French, Italian, Jewish, Bonney ’14, Aboubacar Okeke-Diagne ’15, the Geneva Middle School and Geneva Muslim, Russian, and South Asian cultures, Olivia Dudo ’15 and Emily Jaeckel ’15 led High School, carved pumpkins for Ontario among others. the two ventures – one to aid Habitat for Pathways’ Great Pumpkin Walk, and According to the Finger Lakes Times, Humanity and the other, referred to as performed yard cleanup and maintenance “The extraordinary flavors, scents, colors “Geneva 101,” aimed at introducing new at Happiness House, Lochland School, Inc., and information paled in comparison to students to the many service projects HWS Smith Opera House, St. Peter’s Episcopal the common feeling of acceptance and students regularly take part in throughout Church, Temple Beth El and Trinity Church. appreciation. Strangers walking in close Geneva. The Geneva Community Lakefront proximity to one another due to the volume Habitat for Humanity has partnered Playground was part of a collaborative of guests smiled, shook hands and offered with HWS during Orientation in years past; project between Hobart and William Smith warm greetings.” this year, work with Habitat entailed building Colleges and the City of Geneva through the a home on Hawkins Avenue to help a family KaBOOM! organization. KaBOOM! founder Now in its 30th year, the Community Lunch in need. Participating students comprised and CEO Darell Hammond was on campus Program, coordinated by Catholic Charities about half of the pre-orientation service to deliver the Convocation address to begin of the Finger Lakes, has been a Geneva group and lived together in the Community the 2011-2012 academic year. Recently, institution serving meals every weekday. Service theme house on campus. Geneva was one of only two cities in all of HWS students, faculty and staff volunteered New York State to be named a “2012 Playful with the program and contributed in Day of Service, City USA” community by KaBOOM! and other ways throughout the year. CCESL Playground Built in One Day! received a $20,000 grant via Let’s Play, a coordinated volunteers Thursdays in “No one’s done what Geneva’s done. We community partnership led by Dr. Pepper October and February as well, and more worked together in a collaborative spirit, Snapple Group. than 40 students and staff contributed 115 Geneva did this together,” said President hours to the Lunch Program. Mark D. Gearan “It’s what this community is Dansoko awarded “Drum Major for becoming known for.” Service” award at MLK Jr. Day of Service Incoming students from the Classes of Members of the HWS community took In conjunction with the Day of Service, more 2016 transitioned to college part in the construction of the Geneva than 150 students fanned out to 10 sites life…by building a home for Community Lakefront Playground as part throughout the Geneva area to start the new a Geneva family of Day of Service on Saturday, Oct. 20. semester by making a positive impact on During the week prior to They teamed up with volunteers throughout the community in the spirit of Dr. Martin Orientation, members of the Geneva for Build Day, among them the Luther King Jr. Named for the words used by incoming Classes of 2016 had Geneva High School Interact group who King in his “Drum Major Instinct” speech, the opportunity to take part eagerly signed up to help create a safe place the MLK Drum Major for Service Award in two Pre-Orientation Adventure Program to play for younger children. was presented to Aminata Dansoko ’15 (POAP) projects centered on the theme of This year, in addition to the playground during the weekend for her dedication and 2 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 3 Eliot Kime ’14 worked on a Habitat for Humanity house as part of the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program. On Aug. 25, 724 first year and upper class Orientation Mentors fanned out to 30 sites across Geneva and the Finger Lakes as part of the Orientation program. President Mark D. Gearan welcomed students, encouraging them to think of Geneva as their home for the next four years. Aminata Dansoko ’15, Ali McKnight ’15 and Courtney Aquadro ’14 helped children build scarecrows at the Day for Kids event at the Geneva Boys & Girls Club in October. commitment to service. “Service is something I love to do. It is my way of getting back,” says Dansoko. “I believe that service makes one understand the world in multiple perspectives. I love helping others, it brings me joy.” Hobart Statesmen arrived early and stayed late, and are pictured here moving the “Mobius Climber.” They were among the 200 volunteers who built the Geneva Community Lakefront Playground on Oct.