EAST LANSING, Mich. - Two programs at Michigan State University have been recognized for leadership in the field of student character development in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development, a guidebook released nationwide today.
Designed for students, parents and educators who believe that character matters, The Templeton Guide contains profiles of 405 exemplary college programs in ten categories.
The two MSU programs are:
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Scholars Program in MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources leads students on a 24 to 30-month journey that is characterized by active, experiential, progressively self-directed, increasingly complex and reflective learning. The Bailey program - a 21-credit specialization - complements and supplements the students' major fields of study.
There currently are 33 Bailey scholars.
"Called whole person development, the Bailey approach draws upon cutting-edge thinking and research in the scholarship of teaching and learning, and from the work associated with a variety of fields, including service-learning and critical thinking," said Frank Fear, chairperson of the Bailey Scholars Program. "We fully expect to see more programs like this in the future."
The Service-Learning Center connects MSU students with community agencies and helps to recruit, train, orient, supervise and evaluate students for those agencies. The SLC also provides support services to academic departments by coordinating openings in community-based programs and by interviewing and preparing students to find meaningful placements.
In 1998-99, the center listed more than 1,000 local community position descriptions under 20 program categories. In all, 4,223 students were referred with 806 continuing for both semesters.
"We're pleased that the Templeton Guide recognizes the kind of work that we do that supports students in not just their academic and career development, but students as individuals who are trying to figure out who they are," said Georgia Davidson, Service-Learning Center assistant director. Students involved in service and community involvement are developing themselves and their character."
More than 300 four-year public and private colleges across the country are included in The Templeton Guide.
"Michigan State's strong commitment to character development and the strength of its program make it a model for colleges and universities nationwide," said Arthur J. Schwartz, director of character development programs at the John Templeton Foundation. "With The Templeton Guide, we hope to help prospective college students and their parents who want to know what colleges are doing to promote the core values of honesty, self-control, respect and service to those less fortunate. The Templeton Guide identifies colleges that encourage students to understand the importance of personal and civic responsibility, which will help them succeed in college and beyond. MSU's work in this area is most impressive."
Intended for high school students, parent, guidance counselors, college administrators, trustees, faculty and alumni, The Templeton Guide recognizes programs that represent the best practices in the field of character development during the college years. The programs were chosen through a highly selective process that considered clarity of vision and statement of purpose; institutional resources; involvement of institutional leaders; impact on students, faculty, campus and community; integration into the core curriculum or academic study; longevity; external awards and recognition; and assessment.