AmeriCorps director urges new students to serve those in need

5:30 p.m., Sep. 2, 2003--Rosie K. Mauk, longtime champion of volunteer service and director of AmeriCorps, told the Class of 2007 to be sure to make service to others, especially the neediest, a big part of their college experience at UD.

Mauk addressed her remarks to the 4,083 incoming and transfer students during New Student Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Bob Carpenter Sports Convocation Center.

“Whatever you choose to do with your college days, be sure that service is a part of it, or you will most definitely find that your life is lacking,” Mauk said. “As new students here at UD, you are entering a wonderful environment both to gain knowledge and to reflect on the importance of service.”

In welcoming new students to the University, Mauk asked members of the Class of 2007 to reflect the new set of privileges and responsibilities that they will be introduced to at the start of their academic careers at UD.

“What exactly are the new privileges and responsibilities that come with your new status as ‘college student,’ and how will you take advantage of these privileges and exercise these responsibilities?” Mauk asked. “These words provide an opportunity to think about how you will use your time here at the University of Delaware.”

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Meet the Class of 2007

While not pressing for an immediate answer, Mauk did urge students to set aside time in the days and weeks ahead to reflect on these new privileges and responsibilities in the context of providing service to others during and beyond their years at UD.

Mauk also asked students to consider a set of parallel questions concerning citizen involvement at the local and national level.

AmeriCorps Director Rosie K. Mauk: “Whatever you choose to do with your college days, be sure that service is a part of it, or you will most definitely find that your life is lacking.”

“What are the privileges and responsibilities that your citizenship in our great country confers on you?” Mauk asked. “How will you take advantage of those privileges, and how will you exercise those responsibilities?”

Mauk, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a graduate of the University of Toledo, has 25 years’ experience as an advocate of community service and participant in volunteer and charitable organizations in the Fort Worth, Texas, area.

Besides heading a $5 million fundraising drive for the YWCA of Tarrant County to build a homeless child-care center there, Mauk has won numerous awards, including the Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Award, Fort Worth Woman of the Year and a 1999 Daily Point of Light Award.

As director of AmeriCorps since 2001, Mauk oversees a national service program that engages 50,000 young Americans yearly in volunteer service to meet pressing community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other human needs.

This American tradition of service, Mauk noted, is evidenced at UD by its commitment to service through the presence of its VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program.

“VISTA members who successfully complete a year of service may apply and, if accepted, are admitted as full-time students into one of UD’s College of Human Resources, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) graduate programs, and they are offered free tuition, an assistantship, as well as a stipend,” Mauk noted. “This speaks volumes about this University.”

Mauk also challenged the freshman class to take to heart President George W. Bush’s call to service by devoting a significant part of their time at UD to volunteer service.

“As you begin on the road to a more fruitful and productive life, the possibilities are limitless,” Mauk said. “My greatest hope is that you will take advantage of the wonderful exposure and environment that you have here at UD, that the values of this campus truly take root in your soul, and that you find ways to serve your neighbors and your nation.”

While acknowledging the importance of academic achievement, Mauk noted that there are also other standards by which success is measured.

“A truly successful person is one who seeks knowledge and ways to contribute to society, as well as to his or her well-being,” Mauk said. “True success, I firmly believe—in fact, I know—is closely connected to a commitment to justice, compassion, forgiveness, peace, humility and the common good. This certainly has been the case with me
and the life I have been privileged to lead.”

“My greatest hope is that you will take advantage of the wonderful exposure and environment that you have here at UD, that the values of this campus truly take root in your soul, and that you find ways to serve your neighbors and your nation,” Mauk said.

In closing, Mauk said she hoped that students would take the opportunity to build and spread the influence of their UD education to meet the serious needs of America in the new century.

“By answering the challenges—both new and old—that have been thrust upon our nation, by accepting the duties of American citizenship, by dedicating a portion of your college experience and your lives to service to your nation, to the University and to your community, you will be reaffirming the principles upon which our country was founded, principles which are still a beacon of light throughout the world,” Mauk said. “I believe that service is about experiences in life, not credentials from life. I have devoted my life to service, and my personal reward is being here with you today.”

UD Medal of Distinction

Following Mauk’s remarks, Howard E. Cosgrove, chairman of UD’s Board of Trustees, presented the Medal of Distinction to the Rev. Michael Szupper, director of the Thomas More Oratory at UD and director of the campus ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

The Rev. Michael Szupper (left) accepts the University’s Medal of Distinction from Howard Cosgrove, chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Medal of Distinction, the highest award the University bestows, is presented to citizens of the state and region who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society, have achieved noteworthy success in their professions or have given significant service to the University, state or region.

“Father Szupper—mentor, inspirer and friend—we salute you for contributions to the education, enrichment and spiritual lives of countless students at the University of Delaware and, in the process, sharing your intellect, energy and selflessness,” Cosgrove said in presenting the medal to Szupper.

Szupper, who has served as chaplain at UD since 1964, said he accepted the medal “humbly and with great joy.”

“By presenting [this] Medal of Distinction, the University … is expressing concern for the well-being of the whole person, the mind and the heart, the professional goals and also the personal vision,” Szupper said. He encouraged those at the convocation to “have the courage to deal with the struggles and pressure ahead, with wisdom, patience and a steadiness of purpose….

“May you hold fast to the dreams you have today, the dreams you have for yourselves and for your families,” Szupper said.

New students helped themselves to lunch following the mid-day pep rally in The Bob.

In noting that the audience would not be sitting together as a group again until their graduation, UD President David P. Roselle challenged students to take advantage of the many resources available at UD, including the commitment to service and the dedication of the faculty.

“Given that nearly 60 percent of our incoming class has indicated community and volunteer service chief among their interests, I hope you will be encouraged by Ms. Mauk’s message,” Roselle said. “To the Class of 2007, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to you as you begin your journey today. Good luck to each and every one of you.”

Natalie Ross, a member of the Class of 2004, also welcomed new students, as Trudy Gilgenast, a member of the Class of 1953, presented the Class of 2007 flag to freshman representatives Dusti Vanderwende, a graduate of Woodbridge High School, in Bridgeville, DE, and Javier Velasquez, a graduate of West Deptford High School in Woodbury, N.J.

Elizabeth D. Xenelis, a freshman applied music major, led the singing of the national anthem and the alma mater. After the official ceremony, students were treated to a festive celebration that included a performance by the UD Marching Band and a pep rally featuring the cheerleaders and YouDee, the Fightin’ Blue Hen mascot.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Eric Crossan

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