Who benefits from service-learning?

Service-learning is mutually beneficial to both the participating students and the community. Students not only gain opportunities to practice skills, but also to test, refine and generate theory through systematic reflection. The community benefits when students are engaged in service activities that meet real community needs. Faculty benefit by having an opportunity to integrate teaching, research and service. In fact, many Clemson faculty have developed service-learning across many areas of the curriculum, affording students who desire to be engaged citizens and public stewards the opportunity to serve as they learn their chosen field of study. Clemson faculty are often recognized for their work in service-learning and civic engagement. Examples include:

College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

Clementina Adams – Languages
Foreign Language Teachers Association of SC – Outstanding Service-Learning Project Award -- 2003

College of Business & Behavioral Sciences

Patricia Connor- Greene— Psychology
Patrick B. Harris Community Service Award – 2003; South Carolina Department of Mental Health's Award for the Outstanding Volunteer Group of the Year (for the Tigers for Mental Health and "The Green Shoe Project") (2002)

College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences

Mary Haque – Horticulture
Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology.  2002.

Gloria Sanders McCutcheon- Entomology, Soil and Plant Science
Congressional Black Caucus Unsung Hero Award for Community Service

Dale Layfield – Genetics and Biochemistry South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Award for Service-Learning – 2002

Jerry Waldvogel – Genetics and Biochemistry
Society of College Science Teaching Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award (2002)

College of Health Education and Human Development

Gina K. McLellan – Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
South Carolina Department of Education Palmetto Serves Volunteer Award – 2002; South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Commendation of Excellence in Service Learning -- 2001

“We had horticulture and landscape architecture students working with city planners, parks and recreation professionals, teachers, students, and municipal leaders to design an outdoor learning environment for active living and community building. The public gardens, track, playgrounds, and fields were all designed to unite all members of the community on what had been an abandoned football field.” ~ Clemson faculty member.