Collegiate Times

We have incredible resources at our disposal: one, a rich and productive intellectual climate ready to tackle socially relevant problems; two, a bureaucracy that can help institutionalize and support long-lasting efforts; three, an active alumni with relationships across communities, businesses and continents; four, the name recognition of a top-30 research institution built on Ut Prosim; five, the social networks that come from being competitive in athletics and academics; and let us not forget our most important asset, six, our students.

No social change has ever occurred without the direct involvement of students. The current undergraduate population is part of the rising "Millennial Generation." They have a sense of service to others and the desire to make a difference.

Yet, the lack of opportunity to effect real change frustrates many I talk with who are also discouraged because they don't feel that they can really make a difference.

The university community has an opportunity to enable the Millennials to make a positive mark on history, or watch idly by as many become members of the Disgruntled Generation.

How we respond to these urgent calls to service will determine our future. We need to act urgently, and forcefully. Now is the time for Tech to put service on equal footing with research.

We must ask ourselves, how can we lead the country, if not the world, in creating an environment of community-engaged scholarship? We are well poised to lead this shift. The Graduate School has embedded transformative education into its mission, the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships has focused many campus-wide efforts, and the Graduate Network for Community-Engaged Scholarship supports research that makes a community-based impact.

However, until the university solidifies its support in the promotion and tenure of faculty engaged in such endeavors, and until the student body starts acting on its passion, regardless of university support, we will fall short of the promise of community.

Mortenson and Farmer's work changes individual lives, but they do not work alone, and they don't stop with one schoolgirl or one AIDS patient.

These people work in partnership with others to effect change in the social institutions that individuals rely on for health care, education, water and sanitation.

One of my friends noted that he wishes we had someone like them on campus, speaking to crowds in Burruss every month - imagine how that kind of influence could change minds and move bodies. However, we all each have to remember that as individuals when we make the personal decision to make a difference, even when we think we have nothing to offer, we will encourage and empower others.

Continue Reading:  « Previous12