Meet the President - Rockhurst University
Meet the President - Rockhurst University
Meet the President - Rockhurst University
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Rock Report 4 4 4 4 4 4Lessons Learned From ServiceStretch Far Beyond <strong>the</strong> ClassroomAcademic researchcan teachstudents manythings abouthomelessness, but workingside by side with homelesschildren and discoveringthat entire families arehomeless can fuel a desireto go beyond merely learningabout <strong>the</strong> problem.A group of <strong>Rockhurst</strong>students examined <strong>the</strong>problem of homelessnessin Kansas City, <strong>the</strong>n developedand implemented anart program for children atreStart, a local organizationthat provides resources andsupport for <strong>the</strong> homeless.“It has taught me a lot,”said Blair Ballard, a freshmanvolunteer. “Everyonesees homeless people andhas an automatic assumptionabout <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong>ircircumstances. Now it’sharder for me to prejudgepeople based on <strong>the</strong>ircurrent situations.”The project grew outof <strong>Rockhurst</strong>’s effort toincrease faculty interest inservice learning, a teachingmethodology that extendslearning beyond <strong>the</strong> classroomand into <strong>the</strong> communitythrough relevant andmeaningful experiencethat meets a real communityneed.For example, <strong>Rockhurst</strong>biology students study <strong>the</strong>importance of preservinglocal native wild lands byrolling up <strong>the</strong>ir sleevesand cutting back invasivespecies. Students in AmyAnthony Ishmael, ’09, tutored children at <strong>the</strong> Troost Midtown Boysand Girls Club as part of a service learning course this spring.Mulligan’s volunteer managementclass organizeevents to encourage GirlScouts from <strong>the</strong> inner city,many of whom have neverconsidered college or setfoot on a campus, to worktoward this goal.As you’d imagine, <strong>the</strong>seclasses call for more thanjust logging a few volunteerhours. They get studentsinvolved, sometimes inprojects that are outside<strong>the</strong>ir comfort zone.Several students in anEnglish composition classtaught by Dan Martin,Ph.D., volunteer <strong>the</strong>irtime to engage in pastoralconversations with patientsat Truman Medical Center.Last semester, two freshmenspent <strong>the</strong>ir Fridaynights managing a shift atSt. James Place soup kitchen.“All <strong>the</strong>se sites have largersocial issues connectedwith <strong>the</strong>m,” said Martin,assistant professor of English.“Service alone isn’t asolution. You can go outand serve people and feelgood about it, but if youcouple that with research,<strong>the</strong>n you’re going to bemuch more aware of <strong>the</strong>magnitude of <strong>the</strong> problem.Then it becomes a questionof whe<strong>the</strong>r our world isjust, and how do we makeit more just.”Do You HearWhat I Hear?Effective listeningskills are crucial tosuccess in a widerange of fields from religionto health care. Listeningis often a factor inhiring and promotion decisionsand is tied to effectiveleadership. It is critical toacademic success. It is evena significant predictor ofpatient satisfaction. However,most people receivevery little formal training inthis important communicationskill.So where can you learnmore about listening? Thisfall, <strong>Rockhurst</strong> <strong>University</strong>will co-host <strong>the</strong> InternationalListening Association’sFall Listening Forum,“Measuring <strong>the</strong> Effects ofListening on Learning,Earning and Healing.”The forum, which willbe held Oct. 19–21, willbring toge<strong>the</strong>r 100 peoplefrom a variety of fields,including business, education,health care, religionand research, to set <strong>the</strong>listening research agendafor <strong>the</strong> next five years.Spaces are availablefor <strong>Rockhurst</strong> alumni andfriends. If you are interestedin learning more about listeningor about <strong>the</strong> forum,please call Laura Janusik,Ph.D., assistant professor ofcommunication, at (816)501-3186 or e-mail her atlaura.janusik@rockhurst.edu. <strong>Rockhurst</strong>4spring 2006