Project Pericles and Elon are featured in today's issues of the New York Times and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Read this note for details and links to the stories...
Click here to read the story in the New York Times (you may have to register as a Times user to view the story).
Times reporter Karen Arenson’s story, titled “Benefactor Wants Colleges to Deliver a Stronger Civics Lesson,” profiles New York philanthropist Eugene Lang, who is funding Project Pericles. Last week, he convened about 150 representatives from 10 colleges and universities to plan strategy for the initiative. His goal is to build political and civic engagement among young people.
Elon President Leo M. Lambert is chair of the President’s Council and a member of the executive planning board. You can find out more about Elon’s Project Pericles efforts by clicking here.
The Times article quoted professor Tom Arcaro, who is directing the project at Elon, and Nancy Midgette, associate provost. They discuss some of the ways Elon is meeting the challenge of implementing the program, including $1,000 course enhancement grants and service sabbaticals for staff members.
From the story: “‘Would I go so far as to say that this will transform higher education?’ Nancy Midgette, Elon’s associate provost, said. ‘I’m an optimist.’
“‘The heart of Project Pericles is to educate an informed citizenry,’ she added. ‘A lot of students say they need a college education to get a job and to be successful. We would like them to say I need a liberal education, period.'”
Click here to read the story in today’s Chronicle of Higher Education (may be available only to Chronicle subscribers).
The story by Jeffrey Young is titled “Eugene Lang Starts Program for Colleges to Promote Civic Engagement.” It quotes Arcaro and freshman Damon Duncan, who was recently chosen as one of Elon’s first Periclean Scholars.
From the story: “‘The idea is that it’s a service-learning experience wedded with academics that has a horizon that is far enough off that they can actually do something of major significance,’ says Tom Arcaro, a professor of sociology and director of the college’s Project Pericles.
“Damon T. Duncan, a freshman, was recently chosen as one of Elon’s first Periclean Scholars, starting next semester. He was drawn to the program because of its participatory nature, he says. ‘A lot of time you go to school and you just take tests or write papers, and this gave me the opportunity to do something hands-on and make a change in something,’ he says.”
Project Pericles will also be the subject of an online discussion sponsored by the Chronicle at noon, Wednesday, April 9. For more information, see http://chronicle.com/colloquylive/2003/04/civic/. The discussion may only be available to Chronicle subscribers.