09/20/11 kb

HAYS, Kan. -- Faculty members from Fort Hays State University's departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Performance, and Modern Languages have been named by Provost Larry Gould as service-learning fellows for the 2011-2012 year.

Dr. Jean Gleichsner, associate professor of agriculture, Dr. Jeff Burnett, associate professor of health and human performance, and Dr. Rosa-Maria Castaneda, instructor of modern languages, are the first awardees in the Provost's Service-Learning Faculty Fellows Program, instituted last April with funding from George Welch and the Welch Charitable Fund. Welch is a successful entrepreneur in real-estate development, transportation, manufacturing, finance and banking. The $1,500 fellowships are intended to increase the number of available service-learning courses.

"It is my honor and privilege to announce these three service-learning fellows," said Gould. "I'm certain they will carry out their responsibilities in a way that goes beyond expectations. They will help us reach our goals of increasing the number and value of our service-learning courses and help generate community support and interest in campus service-learning initiatives."

Service-learning integrates community service activities -- learning by doing -- into academic curricula and expands the learning of students from the classroom to the community.

"As a pedagogical approach, service learning activities are in alignment with the Kansas Board of Regents' goal to improve community and civic engagement throughout the Regents system," said Gould.

Service learning and the provost's fellowship program also support the university's designation by the Carnegie Foundation as an "engaged" institution.

"The continuing enhancement of service learning as an academic strategic theme is essential," said Gould.

Gleichsner, Burnett and Castaneda will also take part in professional development training geared toward developing service-learning courses and will also perform annual service as a member of the Service-Learning Committee. They will also give presentations on the purpose and practice of service learning to internal and external audiences and teach at least one course that includes a service-learning component.