But the real struggle for Mauk — who spoke with students in a small group setting before delivering yesterday’s convocation address — is not bickering with HWS President and former Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan about which service organization is better, but convincing individuals to dedicate a portion of their lives to volunteerism.
AmeriCorps Director Rosie K. Mauk prophesied that people will describe Peace Corps as the “international AmeriCorps,” not the other way around
AmeriCorps director speaks at HWS convocation
By SUJATA GUPTA
Finger Lakes Times
sgupta@fltimes.com
Caption: AmeriCorps Director Rosie K. Mauk: “Whatever you choose to do with your college days, be sure that service is a part of it, or you will most definitely find that your life is lacking.” Photo: Univeristy of Delaware
GENEVA — When AmeriCorps Director Rosie K. Mauk has about 30 seconds to define her program, she mutters — “It’s like the domestic Peace Corps” — and winces.
Someday, she prophesied to a group of Hobart and William Smith volunteers Wednesday afternoon, people will describe Peace Corps as the “international AmeriCorps,” not the other way around.
“There’s something sexy about serving oversees ... but I just love that some people see the need [to help] here,” she said, pointing out that about 60 AmeriCorps volunteers have already been deployed to help rebuild areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
But the real struggle for Mauk — who spoke with students in a small group setting before delivering yesterday’s convocation address — is not bickering with HWS President and former Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan about which service organization is better, but convincing individuals to dedicate a portion of their lives to volunteerism.
AmeriCorps’ strength lies not only in its philosophy, Mauk stressed, but its emphasis on keeping things local.
“The idea has always been devolution,” she said. “Washington, D.C., should not be making decisions about what Geneva needs.”
Mauk also commended the group of about 10 HWS volunteers involved with the AmeriCorps initiative Jumpstart — a program dedicated to providing toddlers with the skills they need to excel in kindergarten and beyond. Students at HWS visit both Head Start at North Street Elementary School and the Geneva Agribusiness Child Development Center.
Included in the audience was Christie Torruella, a William Smith sophomore and Geneva native who participated in Head Start as a child.
“I ... remember upperclassman reading to us, activities fields trips to the zoo and birthday parties,” said Torruella, who is thrilled to be able to work at North Street, the same site she attended so many years ago.
She, like other HWS Jumpstart mentors, also will receive a $1,000 educational stipend upon completing 300 hours of work.
Funding for the program, however, has waned in recent years. For example, Jumpstart has lost funding intermittently during it’s four-year existence at HWS. Nor does Mauk’s budget allow much room for marketing initiatives.
“The majority of [recruitment] is word of mouth,” she said, noting that the 75,000-member AmeriCorps organization boasts about 500,000 alumni.
Mauk said organizers also are working to change the current statute that forbids students from receiving an educational stipend after more than two years of service — whether full or part time.
She said a recent proposal would let students work up to 3,400 hours, or two full-time years, to remain eligible for the stipend.
“What do you see as the future of AmeriCorps? ... Where would you like to see it go?” asked Ave Bauder, director of the public service office at HWS.
Mauk said she doesn’t “envision any big changes,” but would love to increase membership to about 100,000 in the years to come, as well as address how many individuals opt out of participating in AmeriCorps because they lack a full year of time.
Mauk delivered a similar message at the Colleges’ convocation, which was moved into Bristol Gymnasium due to rain.
“We need young people like you in AmeriCorps,” she stressed.
Other speakers included new Provost and Dean of Faculty Teresa Amott. Like Mauk, Amott urged students to remain aware of the catastrophe unfolding along the Gulf Coast and debunked the myth that those in academia live “in a bubble.”
“I have always resisted the notion that we in the academic world are not in the real world,” she said, noting that students must immerse themselves in the study of everything from art to environmental science.
Mauk and George N. Abraham, a Rochester-based doctor and 1959 Hobart graduate, received President’s Medals for their dedication to their respective fields.
As in years past, ceremonies opened and closed with a processional by the Mohawk Valley Frasers Pipe Band. Students also marched in carrying 72 flags representing the campus’ international population and countries HWS students have visited during semesters abroad.
