By: Piper Crabtree
The Honors Program is known for its academic excellence, but at its core is an organization that upholds the highest values of St. Norbert College. One of the ways members of the program fulfill these responsibilities is through service learning. Service learning can be defined as volunteering that uses knowledge and methods taught in the classroom. By utilizing this strategy of community service, honors students not only benefit their community but also pursue the pillars of St. Norbert College.
One of the core values is Actio, where students achieve greatness through a call to action. Students at St. Norbert College are actively involved in the community through service learning outreach, as it directs their efforts to benefit both the students as well as meet the specific needs of those around them. Community service teaches students responsibility, empathy, communication skills, problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork. It also allows students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-life situations. This style of tactile learning encourages students to help others while increasing their academic potential.
In addition to the main pillars of the college, it also upholds the liberal arts traditions that St. Norbert College has established. The liberal arts education has three goals: training the mind, the development of personal character, and the preparation of the person for civic life. Service learning trains the mind by allowing honors students to apply their academic knowledge to their desired field of study. It also develops personal characteristics by allowing students to find the purpose and meaning beyond the textbook. For example, if someone is studying nursing and is given the opportunity to volunteer their time towards a medical organization, it not only builds the skills necessary for their future career, but also builds life-long characteristics needed for the position, such as the desire to work with and help others, leadership, teamwork, kindness, and patience. Lastly, honors students’ participation in the civic lifestyle showcases how effective their service and attention are in empowering the community. By exposing students to service learning, we are able to understand how important public engagement and social responsibility are. A liberal arts education enhances the meaningfulness of life. When honors students participate in service learning, they are doing just that.
One way honors students are participating in service learning is through the Green Bay Growing Resiliency Program. This program works towards improving children’s literacy in the Brown County area by recruiting tutors (no experience required) to help the students twice a week with reading and writing materials. As a tutor myself, this opportunity allows me to help my student grow as a reader, but also helps me grow as a future educator. Through service learning, I am able to apply the education methods I am learning in the classroom during tutoring sessions. It also teaches me what values a teacher needs to be successful, such as optimism and adaptability. This program applies to other future careers as well. Another tutor in the program is a science major and does not plan to become a teacher, yet through service learning, he is able to grow his skills in patience and communication.
Service learning in the honors program is a must. St. Norbert College holds values that thrive when honors students take on service learning, as well as prove the importance of a liberal arts education. Through the hard work and dedication of honors students, we can not only improve our local community but also make a broader impact on the world around us, one opportunity at a time.
