NEWS
Guilford earns national recognition for community service
April 13, 2012
By Zachary Thomas
Staff Writer
Have you ever helped out at the community
garden? Participated in Solarpalooza over
fall break? Volunteered at the Glen Haven
apartment complex? Or assisted students
down the road at Newcomers School for a
day?
If so, you're part of the reason why the
Corporation for National and Community
Service named Guilford College to the
President's Higher Education Community
Service Honor Roll for the sixth year in a row.
The annual federal recognition is the highest
distinction a college or university can receive
for its commitment to community service,
service learning or civic engagement.
"It's in our DNA," said President and
Professor of Political Science Kent Chabotar of
Guilford's emphasis on service involvement.
"You can be rich or poor, you can be from
the South or from the North, you can be an
American or someone from overseas, but the
idea of community service is universal."
Guilford's core values, especially those
of stewardship and community, bolster
and encourage the concept of service to the
community. Guilford students participate in
a variety of service opportunities through a
wide range of venues.
Junior Kiel Williams, for example,
organized science workshops for students
at Jefferson Elementary School through
Guilford's Society of Physics Students.
"In each consecutive week, the Jefferson
students learned to build effective
marshmallow-toothpick bridges, tried to
align lasers to hit a target and built simple
circuits," said Williams about this semester's
activities.
For Williams, service links directly to his
Problem Solving sponsors student-led service
projects. One recent project explored and
polled students about their perception of
alternative healthcare.
Another service opportunity, Bonner
Scholars program, has members complete 140
hours of community service each semester as
well as two summer service projects.
"Our service sites are open to everyone,"
"(Guilford's emphasis on service involvement) is in our DNA. You
can be rich or poor, you can be from the South or from the North,
you can be an American or someone from overseas, but the idea
of community service is universal."
Kent Chabotar, president and professor of political science
interests.
"The part of it I most enjoy is the opportunity
to make science real," said Williams. "Too
often science has become reduced to a pile of
vocabulary words, especially at the primary
level."
Other organizations and courses
on campus also support service to the
community. Guilford's Center for Principled
said James Shields, director of community
learning, in an email interview.
Shields emphasized that service transcends
any one group or set of people on campus.
"For example, we have former and current
Guilford athletes, like Justin Bradley, who
conduct a summer basketball camp through
his nonprofit. Unity Hoops," said Shields.
Courses like Community Problem Solving
even irjcorporate service learning into the
curriculum and class experience. Students
this semester had a chance to volunteer with
the Occupy Greensboro camp, among other
selected sites.
For Director of Admissions Andy Strickler,
it is not so much that Guilford offers service
opportunities — most schools do—but rather
how Guilford manages to tie community
service back to its heritage and values.
"Service and engagement in the community
are significant pluses for an applicant," said
Strickler in an email interview. "Our role is to
talk about how we do (community service)
here at Guilford, and how we are different
than our competitors."
According to a Guilford Beacon
announcement and Shields, Guilford students
contribute between 45,000 to 60,000 hours of
service each year at a variety of locations.
Guilford clearly has made its commitment
to community service a top priority for the
school looking forward.
"The new SLRP II is trying to make that
kind of service and internships even more a
part of the curriculum than it is now," said
Chabotar, speaking about Guilford's strategic
long-range plan.
From sustainable development to student
organizations to specific courses, Guilford
teems with volunteer service and community
involvement opportunities.
How will you get involved today?
Vigil commemorates Trayvon Martin, debate continues
By Bryan Dooley
Staff Writer
Silence and a tranquil rain marked the April 4 vigil for
Trayvon Martin as the college participated in the "1,000
Campus Vigil" in solidarity and support for Martin and his
family.
"I had so much emotion in me each day," said senior Nina
Frazier, organizer of the vigil. "With every new development
and breaking news story my blood was boiling. I needed to
find something positive to do with that negative energy."
Frazier continued, "I decided to do the vigil because
it was bringing people together to show unity in peace
across the United States. ... With all of the rallies and
protests sometimes we forget to take a moment to reflect on
situations."
It all began when Martin, a 17-year-old African American,
walked from a convenience store in Sanford, Fla. carrying
a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. George Zimmerman
followed him and shot him.
Zimmerman, the shooter, is a white Hispanic neighborhood
crime watch volunteer. He has recently been charged with
second degree murder.
According to The New York Times, Florida's "law grants
immunity to people who act to protect themselves if they
have a reasonable fear they will be killed or seriously
injured.
"A law like ('Stand Your Ground') really makes it open
season for people to simply shoot," said James Shields,
director of community learning. "It wouldn't be such a bad
law if there weren't stereotypes. The unfortunate thing is
that stereotypes are easy, but what this situation tells us is
that they can be very dangerous."
Shields continued, "We have a similar law in North
Carolina. Whether or not you agree with (it), the reality is
that somebody voted for these laws. For some, this incident
evokes memories of the civil rights movement.
"The difference between now and then is during the
movement, blacks were not seen as a group of people with
rights," said junior Alvita Mayo, Sister 2 Sister chair. "So
when they were mistreated, yeah it was wrong, but it was
normal, expected. Today, blacks are supposed to have rights
and be seen as equal, not supposed to still continually be
seen as the inferior race."
Despite the laws, many people blame this situation on
racism that has continued in the U.S. since slavery.
"Even in 2012 with the first black president in the White
House, which is obviously a sign of progress, there are
still very deep-seated stereotypes, prejudices and biases —
particularly those directed at black males which endanger
/
On April 4, students gathered in solidarity and support for
Trayvon Martin, the seventeen year old who was shot and killed
six weeks ago. Despite the cold night, mourners joined together
to reflect upon the situation and get rid of negative energy.
their lives.," said Jorge Zeballos, Latino community program
coordinator.
Zeballos continued, "There is a deep-seated fear of the
black man in this country that has not been addressed or
acknowledged. It probably goes all the way back to the
narrative that developed around the black rnale regarding
slavery. The black male was framed as someone to be feared,
and that has not gone away yet."
Some blame the media portrayals of African Americans
in today's society for attitudes that led to Trayvon Martin's
death and the controversy around the decision whether or
not to arrest George Zimmerman.
"I think it goes further than fear," said Jada Drew,
Africana community coordinator. "It is also hatred that
drives racism for black males in the U.S. If you cut on a
television and you count how many times you see a black
man, more than likely they won't be portrayed in a positive
light."
Drew continued, "Black males are not portrayed as
doctors, lawyers, family members, and productive members
of their community. They are portrayed as rappers, thugs
and baby daddies. That is the tape that is played over and
over again."
Ramah Russell, an organizer of Guilford's vigil, is
passionate about the case.
"I feel that when Zimmerman basically was indicating
that Trayvon did not belong in that housing, it reverted
back to the Jim Crow days when blacks were not allowed
in white neighborhoods unless they were working there or,
if they were seen there at any time, they would be harassed
about it," said Russell in an email interview.
Russell continued, "I want Americans to stop with
all the racial stereotypes and accept that black
males can actually succeed and have a promising
future for themselves. I also would like for all
minorities to actually be treated as fair individuals."
The widespread reactions to Martin's death may have a
positive outcome.
"I see a lot of events that are being talked about along
with this Trayvon Martin murder," said Zeballos. "Gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups are starting to
support this case. It may be a chance to expand the civil
rights movement in a way that it has not before."