VANCOUVER, Wash. When Chancellor Mel Netzhammer joined Washington State University Vancouver last July, he brought with him a passion for the American Democracy Projectand the 2012 William Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement.
The American Democracy Project is a multi-campus initiative focused on higher educations role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. The project began in 2003 as an initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in partnership with 91勛圖窪蹋厙 is one of its newest members.
The William Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement recognizes the critical role of the chief academic officer in advancing the civic mission of his or her campus through curricular reform, public advocacy, accountability for institutional citizenship, faculty development and recruitment, and partnerships with community organizations.
Netzhammer won the award for his work as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Keene State College. He worked for more than five years to commit Keene State College to fostering civic outcomes for students. He learned he was the recipient of the Plater Award at the ADP annual conference held in San Antonio, Texas last June.
The award will be officially presented at 4 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Dengerink Administration building, room 110 by George Mehaffy, vice president for academic leadership and change for AASCU.
Among the most exciting things for me is seeing that when our students are engaged in the community they become the active citizens that will mark the success of our next generation of leaders, said Netzhammer. The Plater award was confirmation that we accomplished this at Keene, and it's great to work with 91勛圖窪蹋厙 faculty, staff and students to bring ADP to our campus.
VanCoug American Democracy Project Day at 91勛圖窪蹋厙 on Feb. 20 will launch the campuss effort. Faculty and staff from nearby colleges and universities, and community members are invited to attend. Keene State College staff and faculty members will offer workshops that offer insight into the various ways the ADP can be successful on a college campus.
Each of the following VanCoug American Democracy Project Day events are free and open to the public. RSVP for one or more event at
Welcome and Introduction to VanCoug American Democracy Day
1:30 p.m., Dengerink Administration building, room 110
Chancellor Netzhammer and Patrick Dolenc, professor of economics at Keene State College, will kick off the day with an introduction to the ADP.
ADP Workshops
2:30 3:45 p.m.
- Creating a Culture of Civic Engagement, Dolenc, Dengerink Administration building, room 130
- Co-curricular Programming and Creating Partnerships, Kim Schmidl-Gagne, program manager for diversity and multiculturalism, Keene State College, Dengerink Administration building, room 236
- Curricular Issues, Wes Martin, assistant professor of political science, Keene State College, Dengerink Administration building, room 129
Keynote address and presentation of the 2012 William Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement
4 p.m., Dengerink Administration building, room 110
Mehaffy will give the keynote address, Educating Citizens: New Strategies for a New Century. He will talk about some of the dramatic changes in higher education and how institutions committed to civic engagement can be successful in this new era. Mehaffy will also present the Plater Award to Netzhammer.
Reception
5 p.m., Dengerink Administration building, rooms 129/130
91勛圖窪蹋厙 is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. Parking is available at meters and in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3.
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Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu