Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Students in the Business Communications class at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are working to finish projects that not only give them career experience and a grade, but also serve the community.

Sue Curtis, director of the UWP Community University Partnership program, instructs the class. In the past, student service learning projects were done through CUP, but this year, Curtis decided to utilize the new Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement. While CUP is a resource for service learning projects that require no funding, the Pioneer Academic Center for Community Engagement provides up to $400 in funding for student projects, which serve the community.

"At the end of the project, students can look at themselves and feel good about making a contribution. How much more meaningful is it to make a difference?" said Curtis.

Students choose to participate in the class service learning projects working with Operation Military Kids or Wisconsin Badger Camp Telethon or created their own service learning project. The individual service projects served the UWP International Business Resource Center, UWP Sigma Alpha Family Night, St. Joe's Youth Camp, Dubuque Humane Society and Families of Children with Cancer.

Operation Military Kids is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army and U.S. communities that supports youth affected by deployment. Youth may participate in recreational, social and educational activities, mobile technology lab programs, camps, and receive assistance with school issues. UWP business communications students developed communication tools, such as brochures, a PowerPoint presentation and fliers to promote the organization.

Other students helped promote the UWP Badger Camp Telethon and raise awareness about Badger Camp. Badger Camp provides outdoor recreational experiences for those with developmental disabilities.

"I am glad we are helping these people. Everyone deserves a chance to go on a fun vacation or getaway to experience new things," said Nicholas Simon of Benton.

Kim Matthews of Argyle led Family Night. Supported by Sigma Alpha, of which Matthews is a part, Grant County Family Night provides holiday entertainment and activities free of charge for local families. Matthews advertised in print, on radio and the Internet and did a mass mailing to schools, organizations and businesses. She also coordinated volunteers and helped set up for the event with Sigma Alpha.

"It was rewarding to give back to the community, having a great turnout and seeing the number of people who donated items to the Santa Shop," said Matthews. "This will help me in the future for the workplace and outside of the workplace because I have gained the skills necessary to perform tasks with the highest capability ... I would recommend the Engagement Center to anyone in the future.

Jenna Dean of Mineral Point, chose to work with the UW-Platteville IBRC to inform the campus and community of the opportunities it offers. IBRC helps students, faculty and businesses develop and strengthen their international understanding and economic competitiveness. It is a resource for international business education, community development and research in Southwest Wisconsin. As part of her project, she went to local high schools and gave presentations on the IBRC.

Gretchen Cummings created a business communication and marketing plan for St. Joe's Youth Camp, part of St. Joseph's Church in Dodgeville. She also helped in fundraising for the organization.

The Dubuque Humane Society benefited from the class through Jenna Dobson of Mineral Point. She helped promote various humane society events.

Children who have or have had cancer and their families will enjoy a ski trip to Ski Brule in Iron River, Minn., thanks to the work of Ryan Schutte of Green Bay. A cancer survivor himself, Schutte worked with Families of Children with Cancer organization and used the funds from PACCE to provide the trip free of charge.

Students were graded on presentation and a journal they kept to reflect what they learned throughout the project, what it was like to work with their community group and whether or not they met their goals.

"Projects like this show real things that develop. Students prove they have the skills to meet job expectations. We give them the basics in class and then they get to go out and practice their skills," said Curtis.

Anyone wanting more information about the PACCE business communications projects may contact Curtis at (608) 342-1308 or curtissu@uwplatt.edu. Anyone wanting more information about PACCE may contact Kevin Bernhardt at (608) 342-6121 or pacce@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Sue Curtis, director, UWP Community University Partnership, (608) 342-1308, curtissu@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu