ADP Service Spotlight for November

The Sociology Club's C.O.M.E. Center utility relief registration was so successful they were asked to do it again. Those who worked in the first group included, top row from left, Blake Holub, Matt Pekar, and sponsor Mary Ann Davis; bottom row from left, sponsor Lee Miller, Juanita Garcia, and Cheryl Hudec. Other club members who participated in the second phase included Paula Anglemeyer, Sandra Villalobos, Kimberly Fregia, Georgie Elmer, and Juanita Garcia.

Well, almost.

Both service and Sam Houston State University start with an "S," and more importantly, the well-known university motto is "The measure of a Life is Its Service."

Between those extremes, hundreds if not thousands of Sam Houston students are involved with service, the university has been awarded a commendation for its service by no less than the president of the United States, and the American Democracy Project organization is working to make service-learning a part of more SHSU course outlines.

With those things in mind, Today@Sam is beginning a monthly series entitled ADP Service Spotlight. In it we will feature students and faculty who have incorporated the service-learning concept into their curriculum.

Featured faculty may nominate themselves for coverage or be nominated by a colleague. Today@Sam will also seek out faculty members identified through surveys conducted by the American Democracy Project.

Lee Miller is one SHSU faculty member who has been involved in both service and service-learning. She is co-sponsor along with Mary Ann Davis of the Sociology Club.

That group is especially active in the older concept of students doing service that fulfills a community need. As an example, they were recently contacted by Frieda Koeninger, foreign languages professor and vice president of the Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor (C. O. M. E.) to help low-income families apply for funds for utility bills.

So many people signed up for the program, and the C. O. M. E. Center has such a small staff, it needed help interviewing people and completing applications. The Sociology Club came to their rescue.

The club helped the Center and the United Way register families, and Walker County made such effective use of the grant monies that more funds were made available and the application process repeated. Club members went out for a second day of interviews and applications.

Other club activities have included Population Awareness Day, a Good Shepherd Mission food drive to support the Huntsville SAAFE House, and the Homesteaders project to help low-income families build their own homes.

Another example of the good old-fashioned out-of-the-classroom service was the entire university's effort last year to aid hurricane victims.

Last month the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll was released, with a focus on hurricane relief efforts, and Sam Houston State University was on the list.

SHSU was one of only 11 Texas senior colleges or universities so honored, only four of which are public. Not all of those named were involved in hurricane relief.

Then there is service learning--the new approach to service by education institutions from kindergarten to college. The big difference between it and what an organization like the Sociology Club does is that service learning, according to one definition, "provide(s) structured time for a young person to think, talk, and write about what he/she learned during the actual service activity."

That means it is done as part of a class.

Miller has also used service learning activities in classes, and has surveyed students on how they feel about service-learning.

"They were real receptive," she said.

Joyce McCauley has chaired the American Democracy Project Steering Committee since its inception at Sam Houston State in the spring of 2004. She complimented all those at SHSU who contribute their service to the multitude or worthy causes, whether it be part of a class or not.

"All service is great," she said. "Studies have shown that service projects that are integrated into course objectives, with the added element of reflection, are especially powerful in helping students connect what they are learning within the walls of the university classroom to real world issues.

"Those faculty members who have implemented these types of projects are amazed at the increased motivation and deeper understanding of the subject matter. The university heartily supports such efforts, and we hope more faculty members will continue to join this movement."

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Nov. 15, 2006
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.