The Civic Engagement Center is celebrating its very successful year (so far!) this summer by preparing for fall's many exciting events. 2010 has been good to Central Washington University, and so has the Civic Engagement Center. Most recently, spring quarter supplied CWU students with opportunities to participate in events like Environmental Awareness Week, Don't Waste, Donate, Olmstead Spring Fling, Central Secrets, and Showcase of Action.
This summer, the Civic Engagement Center will focus on the prepation of three main events for fall quarter: Breast Cancer Awareness Month (taking place in October), the 38th Annual Yakima River Clean Up (taking place on October 2nd), and Holiday Extravaganza (in December). To better organize the execution of these events, Civic Engagement Center staff is using the summer to plan, schedule and produce advertisements to make fall quarter more effective and successful than ever before.
This year, the Civic Engagement Center broadened its horizons with the year's global issues at hand, such as various disaster-relief events and programs like 509 for Haiti and Soap Drive for Haiti, where monetary funds and tangible donations (soap, shampoo, etc.) were collected and distributed to the Haitian people in need.
Internationally reaching out and connecting with students in other countries has also been a major development in the Civic Engagement Center. Through the web-based communication program, Skype, CWU students are able to discuss social, political, and environmental issues with students in various countries like Sudan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Submitted by Kara Smith, Senior, Public Relations
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The Civic Engagement Center was awarded a $100,000 Sphere of Distinction by President Jerilyn McIntyre in 2006 for its contribution to “innovative and resourceful approaches to academic, student and campus life giving regional, national, or international prominence to Central Washington University.”
The Civic Engagement Center was recognized as one of the Top Ten Programs at the Pacific Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (PACURH) 2006 conference Nov. 15, 2006, when Civic Engagement Fellows informed their peers from all over the NW region about how to implement Fair Trade campus campaigns.
Civic Engagement students are building the Learning Environment and Activity Portal (LEAP), a web-based program connecting university students to off-campus K-12 classrooms and other universities through online forums, workshops and cyberguest chats.
