MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Oct. 1, 2001)—More than 25 community organizations will be on Milligan’s campus tomorrow to increase campus and public awareness of the potential for service in the Tri-Cities region. The fair is sponsored by the L.I.N.C. Volunteer Center at Milligan, formerly known as the Volunteer Action Center, and is open to campus and public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the McCormick Dining Hall of Sutton Hall.
“Last year, our students spoke with great unanimity that volunteer service was the best way for them to demonstrate that they were living out the mission of the college,” said Julie Ray, director of student life. “This is the students’ chance to check out the organizations that we are partnered with and to encourage involvement throughout the year.”
Volunteer service is an important component of Milligan’s academic and student life programs. In 1999, Milligan partnered with several community service agencies to become Tennessee’s first “College of Promise.” The college is also a member of Campus Compact, a service learning coalition of over 500 college presidents committed to helping students develop the values and skills of civic participation through involvement in public service.
Service is also integrated with academic study at Milligan. All freshmen are asked to perform a minimum of three hours of community service as part of their Introduction to College and Careers class. A growing number of Milligan’s faculty also integrate service into their course material.
“Service learning is an active and on-going part of Milligan’s interdisciplinary academic curriculum,” said President Don Jeanes. “We consider our mission and vision statement to be a call to action and we want to reaffirm to our students the significance of serving others.”
Ray explained that L.I.N.C. stands for “Linking Individuals to the Needs of the Community.”
“We are committed to providing opportunities for all levels of interest in service to the community – whether that is weekly, monthly or just one time a semester. We are even making arrangements to provide transportation for some service projects for those without cars,” said Ray.
The Volunteer Fair is open to the public. For more information, please call 461-8719.