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New scholarships for students engaged in service learning

Oct. 4, 2010

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has launched a scholarship program that provides financial support for students who engage in service learning.

The Michigan Service Scholars program, a new AmeriCorps program based at WMU and offered in collaboration with Michigan Campus Compact, promotes active citizenship through community service among college students.

The program will provide scholarships for up to 30 WMU students who complete 300 hours of community service between Nov. 1, 2010, and Nov. 1, 2011, or between Feb, 1, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012. Participants will be eligible for a $1,132 award to use for tuition or loan payments.

Scholarship program students may complete their 300 hours of service during the academic year and/or during class breaks, including over the summer. Some of the positions that are available will enable participants to serve at multiple community-based sites. Among the types of positions available are:

  • Mediating youth conflict
  • Helping to promote economic revitalization in Kalamazoo
  • Developing neighborhood-based service projects in the Edison, Northside and Eastside neighborhoods
  • Tutoring high school students in mathematics through Communities in Schools-Kalamazoo
  • Mentoring youngsters through Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Students can learn more about the Michigan Service Scholars program at two events this week.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium a public lecture featuring Dr. David Berliner speaking on "University-Community Collaboration to Improve K-12 Educational Outcomes," will be followed at 3:30 p.m. by a panel discussion with representatives from community-based organizations discussing how WMU students may get involved.

Thursday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in Room 3014 of the Student Recreation Center an information session on "Learning Outside of the Classroom and Making a Difference" will include details about the scholarship.

For more information about the Michigan Service Scholars Program, visit wmich.edu/servicelearning or contact Kathy Purnell, service learning coordinator at kathy.purnell@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2139.

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Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news