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Ross Meyer did more than get a bachelor’s degree while a student at Miami University of Ohio. He also participated in alternative spring break programs, tutored GED classes, mentored young people, led housing construction crews, and coordinated after-school and summer youth programs. And he created a service-learning program, Over-the-Rhine Weekend Experience: an Introduction to Urban American. The two-day experience brought students to Cincinnati’s most impoverished neighborhood where they worked in a homeless shelter, rehabilitated low-income housing, tour neighborhood and community agencies, and discusses issues with local activists and community leaders. A strong model of service-learning that emphasizes action and reflection, OTR attracted students and professors from many academic areas, with more than 300 students participating in the weekends. OTR served as the basis for the Empower Program at Miami University, a year-long credit course focused on social justice issues. Meyer’s idea sparked interest at other college campuses in Ohio and within the Campus Compact Network. Meyer received the Howard R. Swearer Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the Sallie Mae Fund, from Campus Compact in honor of his efforts. After graduating in May, he worked on the 2004 presidential campaign and plans to attend grad school in the future. |
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