I’m going to liveblog the lunch panel!
12:40 - Alicia Keys is onstage, speaking about how service can unite, bring people together. Quotes Einstein: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Alicia has been hugely active in the nonprofit sector for a while, and heads an org concentrating on AIDS in Africa, Keep a Child Alive.
She’s really good - the crowd is loving her (not to mention the photographers; the stage keeps flashing as they take pictures) and she’s very natural (despite the crowd). I shouldn’t be surprised (she’s a musician), but her grace is commendable as she speaks about things that really matter.
“Service is good for everyone - it’s the best antidepressant you can take! It makes you feel good; it makes me feel good.” Much applause. And now she’s going to sing! Despite a room certainly not made for acoustics, despite no background or pitch checking, her voice is magnificent. Alicia, you are spectacular.
12:50 - University presidents taking the stage: Duke, Tulane, UPenn, Bentley, Tufts (chairman of the board).
Duke’s President Broadhead says he will integrate service learning into their curriculum; if Duke students find an opportunity, Duke will fund students going anywhere in the world, and mentor the students before, during, and after they return. Program is called Duke Engage; students are in India, South Africa, New Orleans - all over!
Tulane President Scott Cowen speaking now. After Katrina, Tulane became first research school with public service requirement. Also has significant scholarship program for HS students with distinguished civic engagement backgrounds who make a commitment to service. “Public service is not just something we talk about every other day; it is part of our DNA.” Announces commitment to helping New Orleans heal through high-quality community health care. Will also offer after-school, literacy, and job training programs.
UPenn president Dr. Amy Gutmann talks about Penn Compact - commitment to engage students locally and globally. Through leadership program, students commit over 2200 full weeks each year to service - mentoring, voter advocacy, disaster relief, among other programs. Penn has academically-based, 4-credit service learning course that takes them outside the university and into local schools. Announces that Penn will fully fund an additional 400 service opportunities for their students.
Bentley sent out their press release this morning (here!); President Gloria Cordes Larsen is announcing $1million scholarship fund for students who participate in “Give a Year” program with City Year. Up to 10 students a year will receive $20,000 grant when they commit a year to City Year. City Year kids in the crowd go wild! Pres Larsen encourages other schools to do the same.
Tufts Chairman of the Board Jim Stern tells us of Tufts’ commitment to establish a university-wide debt repayment program for students who are involved in the nonprofit and service sector. Announcement is on page 59 of TIME magazine! He tells us that this program is applicable for basically anyone who goes to Tufts (med school, undergrad, whomever). First deadline for application was on September 1; expects to award 250 students. Wow.
1:10 - Fmr Presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton have sent video messages. President Bush tells us he could not be more proud of the millions of citizens who have answered the call to service. “There’s not a problem in America that can’t be solved if we work together.”
President Clinton: “I strongly believe service is the core of what we are as a nation.” Talks about creating AmeriCorps on Sept 12, 1994 (exactly 14 years ago). “Together, we can make a nation of service, and when we do that, we can all make a difference.”
Moving to Part 2!
Tags: liveblog, ServiceNation, summit
September 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
[...] Alicia Keys was spotted walking in Manhattan earlier this week, just hoping no one would recognize her. According to someone close to Alicia, she’s unphased by the Swizz Beatz rumors that just won’t die, including the rumor that she threw a party for Swizz Beatz early last week. She’s in disbelief that sites would rather focus on her “so-called” homewrecking ways than the positives such as her new movie “The Secret Lives of Bees” and her recent speech at the Service Nation Summit. [...]