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| March 1999 Dennison outlines importance Dennison spoke about his views on service learning in an interview conducted by Joy Montalban, a freshman majoring in elementary education at UM. She was chosen to interview Dennison by Andrea Vernon, director of UM's Volunteer Action Services, on behalf of Campus Compact.
Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents, is dedicated to furthering campus-based community service. The organization was formed in 1985 to combat the popular image of materialistic, self-absorbed young people. Montalban, of Billings, is part of a Campus Compact project that seeks to connect 200 presidents and student leaders for an interview about community service. She was selected by Vernon because of her history of community service -- for organizations like America Reads and the Poverello Center -- and her demonstrated interest in service learning. She earned the title of "Templeton Fellow" for conducting the interview. In Montalban's interview with Dennison -- who is on the board of Campus Compact - he explained how students who perform community service are learning valuable skills that they will carry with them into their future careers. "These experiences are going to shape the lives of these students," Dennison said. "There is more to life than the salary you get." He also stressed that service learning is a win-win situation for students, schools and communities. "It's a benefit for the University because it keeps us connected with what's going on in the community," he said. "It advances the education, helps the community and helps the student." Dennison cited a survey that showed that students who are involved in community service do better in school. He also pointed out that getting students involved in civic projects will likely increase their political involvement. Dennison said students who opt for a strictly technological education, rather than a traditional liberal arts curriculum -- of which service learning is a part -- miss out on crucial character-building. "If we don't remain a part of the community, then we're not going to have a healthy community for the students," he said. "Let's educate people for life and not for the job that they're going to do tomorrow." Montalban said she came away from the meeting energized and excited. "I thought it was really interesting," she said. "I think if anything, it really strengthened my belief in service learning, my commitment to it." Montalban transcribed the interview and forwarded a copy to Campus Contact, which is based at Brown University in Providence, R.I. |
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