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Earlham's Civic Engagement Celebrated with $4.8 Million Bonner Gift For Immediate Release: 
Earlham Bonner Scholars are among the volunteers assisting Habitat for Humanity rehabilitate a home for a needy family. RICHMOND, Ind. — In recognition of Earlham College's long dedication to community service, the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation intends to provide $4.8 million in endowment funds to support Earlham's ongoing commitments to civic engagement, volunteerism and service learning in the Richmond and Wayne County communities. "While Earlham College will manage these funds, this is just as much a gift to the Richmond and Wayne County community," said Earlham College President Douglas C. Bennett. "This endowment will support our students in the important work they are doing in our community." The College is in the process of raising $2.3 million in matching funds to secure the endowment. The Princeton, N.J.-based Bonner Foundation already has provided Earlham students with $3.3 million in scholarship funds since 1993, and will continue to fund student scholarships until the endowment funds are in place. Earlham Bonner Scholars, as the scholarship recipients are known, dedicate 140 hours to community service each semester and 280 hours during the summer. Related Links: In the Whitewater Valley region, Earlham Bonner Scholars have contributed tens of thousands of community service hours to such organizations as the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County, Habitat for Humanity, Townsend Community Center and Girls, Inc. With these new funds, the College not only will continue the Bonner Scholars program, but also will encourage other students to get involved in the local community. Founded in 1989, the Bonner Foundation funds a variety of projects related to civic engagement, social justice and peace. In one of its largest initiatives, the foundation provides scholarships to students with significant financial need who are committed to community service at 27 colleges and universities across the U.S. The foundation's main philanthropic interests include furthering peace, social justice and poverty alleviation. Wayne Meisel, president of the Bonner Foundation, said that he has long considered Earlham an exemplar of what his organization is trying to accomplish. "Earlham has a leadership role in our culture and in higher education. It is an institution that is genuinely and thoughtfully rooted in justice and peace," Meisel said. "Earlham has also made a heroic commitment to providing financial aid to students who truly need it. We are pleased to support Earlham's efforts to encourage civic engagement among its students." In recognition of Corella and Bertram Bonner's vision and generosity and in recognition of the many years of community service provided by Earlham Bonner Scholars, the College has renamed its service learning and career development office the Bonner Center for Service and Vocation. The official unveiling took place during a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, October 14, 2008. The newly renamed center, which matches Earlham student volunteers to community needs, assists students with career guidance and serves as a clearinghouse for on-campus student work-study positions, is located on the first floor of the Landrum Bolling Center. — EC — Contact:
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Earlham
College · 801 National Road West · Richmond,
Indiana 47374-4095 |