For public servants, a new honor

A select few members of the Class of 2011 will have the chance to earn extra honors for their community-service work.

The University will announce today the creation of the Civic Scholars Program, an academically based service program that will begin with the Class of 2011.

Fifteen selected students each year will focus their undergraduate career on a community-service- and public-policy-oriented study program, and will graduate with a Civic Scholar certificate.

The program includes at least five semesters of service or advocacy work with a leadership role, participating in a pre-orientation program, a two-year non-graded workshop and a summer internship.

Civic scholars will be responsible for choosing their specific projects.

Students will also take five courses chosen from a selection of pre-existing Penn classes geared toward social-science research methodology, community service and history.

The program aims to allow students to "engage both intellectually and actively with community problems," College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dennis DeTurck said.

It will culminate with a research project, which will take place over students' junior and senior years.

Currently, the Provost's office is paying for the program, but History professor Walter Licht - who had the idea for the program - said he is optimistic about finding donors to support it. Including the paid summer internship, administrative assistance and workshops, the program will ultimately cost about $100,000 each year. It could be fully endowed for $3 million or $4 million, Licht said.

Organizers say they're proud that the program is one-of-a-kind.

Other schools have community service integrated into academic programming, Civic House Director David Grossman said, but none has "the duration, the rigor and the certification in the way this does."

The program was conceived of only 10 months ago.

Licht said the idea of an academically based service program sprung into his head during a discussion at lunch one day.

After sharing his idea with Grossman and Ira Harkavy of the Center for Community Partnerships, Licht said, the idea took off.

Involved in political and civic activism since his college years, Licht brought it to Deputy Provost Janice Bellace and Provost Ron Daniels, who then told Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson about it.

Stetson "became extremely enthusiastic," Licht said, adding that Stetson was ultimately the one who pushed to have the program ready for the Class of 2011.

"The other piece of [this program] is . helping the outside world, particularly prospective students. . to recognize that this is something that Penn is delved in," Grossman said.

Licht, who has been at Penn since 1977, added that programs such as the Jon M. Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business and the Vagelos Scholars program have been able to attract students to Penn; he wanted to make community activism another attractive factor.

"I think it speaks volumes about what draws students to Penn and the kind of education we want to give students," University President Amy Gutmann said.

Beginning with 2007 applicants, Licht said, admissions officers will be looking for accepted students whose application indicates an interest in community service and public policy. They will be informed of the program and asked to apply, as with the Benjamin Franklin Scholars program.

"I hope this further marks Penn from other schools," Licht added.

Some admissions officers currently on the road are planning to discuss the new program as they talk to prospective applicants. Information about the program will begin appearing in application literature for the 2008 application season.

Students applying to any school - and any program - could potentially be a Civic Scholar if they can fit it into their undergraduate experience, Licht said.

"I expect that a new generation of civic leaders will be supported by this program," Associate Provost Andy Binns said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.