Annual Report – Programmatic Section

Please complete this template below to share programmatic highlights.  The entire report can be three pages or less.  Please share information and highlights, in a letter-like or reporting format, that addresses the following three categories and provides a synopsis of your Bonner Program this year.

Implementation of Student Development: 

How did you implement the developmental model this year within your co-curricular and service activities? (suggested one page text):

Last year, under the direction of Houghton Kane, the Bonner students participated in a Leadership Development course, for which they received one academic credit each semester.  This course served the purposes of training and enrichment for the Bonner students. 

This is the third year of our Bonner Leader Program, and we currently have ten Bonner students.  Due to the small size of our program and staffing limitations, we have not yet had the development of service trips, specifically designated for either first or second year students.  Last year, we did have one of our students, Greg Little, participate in a week-long service program with students from Pitzer College.

As we move towards expanding the size of our Bonner Program significantly, we intend to implement the developmental model much more robustly.  The full-time hiring of Christian Rice to head up the Ursinus Bonner Program gives the College the infrastructure to expand the program in the immediate future. 

The Ursinus Bonners are attending a Social Justice Retreat from September 26th to the 28th.  This retreat will serve as an orientation session for new Bonners and a bonding opportunity for all Bonners.  Christian has taken over responsibilities for the Bonner Leader course and is also planning a service trip for the current Bonners over the Ursinus Spring Break.

Implementation of Community Partnerships: 

Last year, the Bonner Leader Program worked with eight community partners.  At these sites, the Leaders coordinated a variety of programs and service projects, including high school mentoring, after-school programs for Hispanic children in the community, meal preparation for needy families, and the America Reads program.  Approximately 120 non-Bonner students volunteered service for programs coordinated by our Bonner Leaders.   Without question, the Bonner Leaders have made a significant impact promoting service on the campus.

This year, Bonner Leaders will continue their relationships with community partners.  We are working with some new community partners this year.  One student will be working with a local library to develop a literacy program, and another student will be working with a community partner that facilitates retreats to promote interracial and interreligious harmony.  In several of these placements, it is expected that the Bonner will take on a leadership role in the organization.  Bonners will also be serving as campus leaders, promoting community service on campus, and coordinating a spring service day for all Ursinus students to participate in.

Campus-wide Culture and Infrastructure: 

The Bonner Program has signficantly enhanced a campus-wide culture of service.  Bonner Leaders have taken the lead on campus to enlist volunteers for their projects.  Many of the Bonner projects require volunteers on a weekly basis.   This spring, the Bonners are also coordinating a Spring Service Day initiative, and hope to engage over one hundred students in a day of service. 

Currently, Ursinus does not have a major/minor or certificate in civic engagement.  As the program becomes better established, it is certainly possible to move towards such a goal.  We have excellent support from President John Strassburger.  President Strassburger is committed to providing the resources necessary to enhance and grow the Bonner Program at Ursinus.  Bonner Campus Coordinator Christian Rice is also a member of the faculty.  In the Spring, he will be teaching a course called Comparative Religious Ethics and Social Issues, wherein he will be focusing on social concerns that are relevent to the Bonner vision.