Jischke joins leadership organization

By Laura Pelner
Campus Editor

In his first year as Purdue president, Martin Jischke has helped raise a record amount of funds for the University, and now he's taking his talents to a national organization.

Jischke is on the board of directors of Campus Compact, an organization of university presidents and college deans that focuses on community service. The organization has about 750 college and university members.

"It's a national organization that provides leadership to campus community collaboration efforts," said Peter Young, director of Indiana's Campus Compact branch. "It's primarily things like service learning on campuses, campus efforts, curriculum and co-curricular activities."

Young said the board of directors, which provides leadership for the whole organization, raises money and provides funding to campuses to support such efforts.

In addition, Jischke is a member of the board's finance committee and, as such, he is directly involved in fundraising and the organization's budget.

Jischke, who was appointed to a three-year term, said he was asked to join the board of directors because of his interest in service and experiential learning.

"The whole point of Campus Compact is to try to facilitate opportunities for students to become involved in service learning," Jischke said. "The object of all of this is to enhance student opportunities. I hope more students are engaged in this."

Purdue already has programs that reflect the Campus Compact mission, such as Engineering Projects In Community Service. Jischke has also shown his commitment to service learning by creating a new position, the vice provost for engagement, who deals with enhancing experiential learning for students.

Along with these, Jischke said study abroad, getting involved in community activities and helping professors with research are all ways to enhance the Purdue education.

Through Campus Compact Jischke said he would be more aware of what's going on nationally in the education scene.

"I hope to make the point to people that the ideas that have been raised in the strategic plan, (the document that will shape Purdue's mission and vision), are being made concrete by our participation in this national organization," Jischke said.

The fact that Jischke was named to the board of directors during his first year at Purdue is remarkable, according to Young.

Elizabeth Hollander, executive director of Campus Compact, agreed that Jischke's position on the board is impressive. She said there are only 18 presidents on the board of directors so it's a "special group."

"The members of the board are chosen because of their outstanding leadership on their own campuses, on the civic mission of higher education and on their ability to provide leadership to other campuses in the country," Hollander said.

By being a part of the board Young said the whole university would benefit.

"I would think that because President Jischke will be in closer contact with the nucleus of the organization, I hope that as a result Purdue will become a preeminent institution in getting students involved in community work," Young said.

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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