O’Bannon event sets great example of citizenship, leadership and service
Our opinion
April 26, 2012
The headlining events of the Ivy Tech O’Bannon Institute for Community Service are the nationally known speakers who come to town. This year, syndicated columnist George Will and ABC and NPR journalist Cokie Roberts join a long list of previous O’Bannon guests including former First Lady Laura Bush, former presidential candidate George McGovern, and an impressive selection of well-known public servants and journalists.
Also each year, engaging groups of panelists cover a variety of topics of importance to the community and civic engagement.
With all that, the crux of the O’Bannon Institute’s message is embodied in other lower-profile activities that occur this week. Awards were handed out Wednesday that helped illustrate how Ivy Tech students were able to log nearly 46,000 hours of service learning and community service in the past year. The volunteer efforts contributed nearly $900,000 to community organizations.
In addition, 150 Ivy Tech students were scheduled to volunteer in “Day of Service” activities today at various locations throughout area communities.
The O’Bannon Institute each year helps focus on one of the strengths of the Ivy Tech Bloomington campus — its unwavering commitment to being a good citizen and active participant in the community through its students, faculty and staff. The event sets a good example for everyone.
George Will
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2012
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
