2011 Heritage Day to Feature Community Service Learning
Ohio Wesleyan students regularly tutor students at Columbus City Schools through OWU’s Columbus Initiative program. (Photo courtesy of the OWU Community Services Learning Center)
Ohio Wesleyan University’s Heritage Day Committee of students, faculty, and staff has begun to plan this year’s event, which will explore OWU’s strong history of community service learning.
In 2010, Ohio Wesleyan was named as one of six Presidential Awardees in the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to service-learning and fostering civic engagement. OWU was one of three schools nationwide to earn a Presidential Award specifically for its Excellence in General Community Service.
The 2011 Ohio Wesleyan Heritage Day will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 in Gray Chapel. This event will be streamed live, and viewable afterward at StreamOWU.
A key participant in the fall event will be OWU’s Director of Community Service Learning, Sue Pasters, who will retire at the end of this semester after 22 years on campus. Pasters played a key role in developing the program into its powerful presence today.
Ohio Wesleyan has a rich history of community service dating back to its early days, when University leaders joined the Methodist community in supporting the abolitionist movement and spoke out against slavery. The November event also will feature highlights of OWU’s community service milestones throughout its history.
Heritage Day themes selected for future years include:
2012 Heritage Day: Ohio Wesleyan Facilities 2013 Heritage Day: Ohio Wesleyan Greek Life 2017 Heritage Day: Ohio Wesleyan University’s 175th Anniversary