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By George Vlahakis
Two programs at Indiana University Bloomington have been recognized for efforts to foster student character development in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character.
The Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions, and the Civic Leadership Development Program in the Kelley School of Business are cited in the book released last week by the John Templeton Foundation of Radnor, Pa.
The Poynter Center is profiled in the section on noteworthy faculty and curriculum programs. The Civic Leadership Development Program is profiled in a section on civic education.
"Indiana University's strong commitment to character development and the strength of its programs make it a model for colleges and universities nationwide," said Arthur Schwartz of the John Templeton Foundation.
The Poynter Center is charged with fostering the examination of ethical issues in American society, and it sponsors numerous programs to enable faculty members to incorporate the teaching of ethics into their curricula. For example, it has conducted seminars on professional ethics that bring together religious leaders, academics and professionals who have explored ethical issues in health care, the media, the military and business.
"Along with many faculty, we believe that students' instincts to think seriously about issues of kindness, respect and fairness should be reinforced while they are undergraduates," said David Smith, director of the Poynter Center. "We've tried to help faculty who want to provide that reinforcement and are proud to receive this recognition from the Templeton Foundation."
The Civic Leadership Development Program, directed by Helen Ingersoll, provides opportunities for undergraduate students at the Kelley School of Business to participate in community service, to learn the value of community involvement, and to develop practices of good citizenship and leadership. Students volunteer for several nonprofit agencies and make a commitment to a minimum of four hours of service each week for 10 weeks. Because their service involves them with a variety of social justice issues, they learn a great deal about themselves and others. It also works very closely with Junior Achievement of Central Indiana.
(See a related story in today's Links section on community outreach at IUPUI.)
Both guidebook profiles may be read on line at:
http://www.collegeandcharacter.org/guide/honorroll.html
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