For the past ten years, the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh (located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA) has held an annual Earth Charter Community Summit, focused on how the university and the surrounding community can be involved in implementing the principles of the Earth Charter. UW Oshkosh endorsed the Earth Charter in 2002, and is one of the few institutions of higher education in the U.S. to have signed onto the Charter as an entire institution.
For his role in encouraging service learning and volunteer work, particularly in establishing these summits, Dr. Andrew Robson, professor of English at UW Oshkosh, was recognized with a 2011 Community Engagement Award from the American Democracy Project (ADP). These awards are given annually to UW Oshkosh faculty or staff members who have created exceptional education experiences that also address areas of public concern. According to Mary Beth Petesch, Director of the Office of Field Experiences, “Hundreds, if not thousands, of students and community members have been educated in the ways and means of the famous Earth Charter. Lives and attitudes have been positively affected because of Dr. Robson’s courage and dedication to this noble cause.”
Dr. David Siemers, professor of political science, was also recognized for his work in programs that encourage students to participate in the democratic process.
To read the full article from UW Oshkosh Today, please click here.
To find out more about the Earth Charter and UW Oshkosh, please visit their website at http://www.uwosh.edu/earthcharter