FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                April 2, 2008

IMPACT OF SERVICE LEARNING, VOLUNTEERISM ON COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
ONE OF THREE SESSIONS OFFERED AT NORTHWESTERN SYMPOSIUM

            Service learning and volunteerism to bring new life and opportunities to a community or area is the topic of one of three sessions scheduled during Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s symposium “Visions and Crossroads: Northwest Oklahoma – Our Next 100 Years.” The free event is Friday, April 25, and is open to the public. All three sessions will take place at 10:30 a.m. and repeated at 1:45 p.m.

Christie (Patterson) Brungardt, a 1984 Northwestern graduate now working as an instructor of leadership studies at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University, will be presenting the session titled “Grab the Bull by the Horns – Implementing Service Learning and Civic Engagement for Historic Community Revitalization, The Downtown Fort Hays Model.” This session will be in room 109 of the Joe J. Struckle Education Center.

Brungardt said that during her session she will share the importance of having a formal service-learning and/or volunteer structure on a university campus.

The Kiowa/Anthony, Kan., native said she will show how faculty have integrated service-learning components into existing courses to work on various projects in conjunction with the Downtown Hays Development Corporation’s revitalization efforts, which have put emphasis on the need to rejuvenate its downtown while keeping historic preservation intact.

She’ll highlight some of the Fort Hays academic departments involved in the project including agriculture, history, English, communication studies, leadership studies and information networking and telecommunications.

Brungardt said she also will show how students at Fort Hays have served in a volunteer capacity for numerous events and projects that have stemmed from the growth of the downtown Hays area, and how important it is for faculty and administrators to serve as consultants, board members and participants for numerous downtown projects.

            The two other sessions will be led by Northwestern alumni Robert Reeg, Class of 1978, and Duane Pierson, Ph.D., Class of 1966. Brett Zollinger, Ph.D., Class of 1992, will be the keynote speaker during the symposium’s noon luncheon in the Student Center Ranger Room.

Reeg, chief technology officer at MasterCard International in O’Fallon, Mo., will present the session “Doing Business in a Global Economy – Bricks and Clicks Working Together.” His session will take place in the J.W. Martin Library.

            The Alva native’s presentation will discuss e-commerce and how it can be utilized effectively in rural American businesses. He said the premise of his presentation will show that the Internet is changing not only how consumers relate to businesses, but how businesses construct their workforces.

Pierson’s session is titled “Science and Technology as a Future Force for Jobs and Business Development.” Pierson, senior microbiologist for NASA, is a 2005 Northwestern Outstanding Graduate. He actively has been involved in microbiological and biochemical research for more than 30 years at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. His session, which will take place in the J.W. Martin Library, will discuss how science and technology are important forces for job creation and business development in the age of innovation.

Zollinger, director of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and an associate professor of sociology at Fort Hays, will be speaking during the noon luncheon on “Community Change in the Rural Great Plains: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going.” This presentation will address past and current demographic and economic trends in Great Plains communities and the opportunities they present.

Oklahoma’s Lt. Gov. Jari Askins also will be speaking during the luncheon. She will be sharing her views of Oklahoma’s proud history and what she believes to be the state’s future opportunities.

The symposium is a new event at Northwestern and has been established because of the need to explore regional and community revitalization and encourage innovation within the regional economy in northwest Oklahoma, southern Kansas and the Texas panhandle.

The various sessions and luncheon presentation will help to connect leadership, experience and education with the people in the region so that ideas can be shared to benefit the area’s future.

Dr. Kay Decker, chair of the social sciences department and head of the symposium committee, strongly encourages faculty to bring students to each session. Additionally, she encourages business owners, economic and community development directors, educators and retirees to participate in the symposium. 

“The symposium is a prime opportunity for people in rural northwest Oklahoma to exchange ideas with respected leaders in the fields of business, science and technology, research and development, historic preservation and community revitalization, and education to spark regional development and enhance the way of life for regional citizens,” Decker said.

Pre-registration is required for the free luncheon, and a limited number of tickets remain. Decker also encourages anyone planning on attending the sessions, to pre-register with her as well so she will have an idea how many people may be attending the various sessions. 

Pre-registered participants for both the luncheon and the sessions will receive a packet of materials; however, those who do not pre-register cannot be assured of receiving a packet, Decker said. For those who have pre-registered for the luncheon, tickets to attend will be placed inside the packet. Also included in the packet will be a program detailing information to be presented during each of the three sessions, as well as the luncheon.

Registration for the day’s events will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the Herod Hall lobby. A welcome to all registrants will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the auditorium. Following the welcome, participants will be led to the morning breakout sessions.

For anyone not registering in the morning, a table will be located near the Student Center Ranger Room prior to the luncheon and afternoon sessions. A symposium headquarters table will be located in the foyer of the west end of the Student Center following the morning welcome session for anyone needing help or directions.

For additional information about attending the symposium, please contact Decker at (580) 327-8521, (580) 327-8111 or kldecker@nwosu.edu. Up-to-date information is located at the symposium web site at www.nwosu.edu/symposium.

-NW-

Back to News Page