Staff Profile
Robert Hackett
From the Heart of The Bonner Foundation: Elaine ...

In celebration of Elaine Wheeler's retirement, we honor her invaluable contribution to the Bonner Foundation. Her commitment and mentorship have been instrumental in our growth as a Foundation and the Network we have today. As she embarks on her retirement, we celebrate her legacy of dedication and look forward to the path she has paved for us.

From the Heart of The Bonner Foundation: Elaine Wheeler's Retirement Celebration
Robert Hackett
Announcing the Refreshed Bonner Wiki

With over three decades sharing campus examples, guides, and documents to download, the Bonner Foundation is excited to announce a recently updated Bonner Resources Wiki.

This summer, the five National Bonner Summer Interns at the Foundation — Anu Baskar (George Mason ‘24), Camila Guayasamin (The College of New Jersey ‘24), Dominique Dore (University of Houston ‘22), Mikaela Chin (High Point University ‘24) and Selah Ndouta (Capital University ‘22) — worked with the Foundation staff to refresh the look of the wiki’s homepage and, more importantly, update campus examples and other documents.

They devoted particularly attention to the Bonner Program Management and Community-Engaged Learning sections. In addition, Mikaela and Dominique also created a short video on how to navigate this wealth of knowledge.

Announcing the Refreshed Bonner Wiki

Campus Profile

Montclair State University: Paterson's Promise

Montclair State University: Paterson's Promise

Montclair State University's "One Square Mile" initiative is making a significant impact on the city of Paterson, New Jersey. The initiative, which aims to advance racial justice, improve health, and foster student achievement, has established numerous programs and partnerships. These include funding for community schools, support for nonprofits, harm reduction efforts, and educational initiatives. The university's commitment to Paterson is long-term and collaborative, with a focus on addressing the city's challenges and creating meaningful change.

Rutgers University-Camden Awarded Campus Compact’s Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation

Rutgers University-Camden Awarded Campus Compact’s Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation

Campus Compact announced that Rutgers University-Camden has been awarded Campus Compact’s Richard Guarasci Award for Institutional Transformation. The award recognizes four-year or graduate institutions that have successfully implemented institution-wide efforts to address issues of public concern by aligning teaching, research, practice, and values in service of the common good.

Rutgers University-Camden is recognized as a leading model of holistically embedding civic engagement across every facet of the institution. The University has a rich history with deep engagement with Camden through student success programs, anchor initiatives, and civic engagement, including the Rutgers-Camden Bonner Civic Scholars program. Led by Chancellor Antonio Tillis, Senior Vice Chancellor Nyeema Watson, and, in particular, its Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, Rutgers University-Camden has doubled down on the institution's history in ensuring that civic and community engagement work is resourced and prioritized.

Bonner Office of Civic Engagement at Spelman College – Empowering Women Toward More Civic Engagement

Bonner Office of Civic Engagement at Spelman College – Empowering Women Toward More Civic Engagement

Spelman College in Atlanta is dedicated to enhancing community engagement programs to promote civic responsibility and innovative problem-solving. The college is striving to achieve recognition from the Carnegie Foundation for its community engagement initiatives, including the SpelREADS Literacy Program and the Refugee and Forced Migrations service-learning course. As a leading Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Spelman College believes that community engagement plays a vital role in cultivating leadership skills and empowering students to make meaningful contributions to society.

Oberlin Bonner Scholar Sadie Owens '23 From Classroom to Community (and Back Again)

Oberlin Bonner Scholar Sadie Owens '23 From Classroom to Community (and Back Again)

Sadie Owens is a Bonner Scholar who has contributed significantly to community service projects at school. She discusses how the Bonner program has allowed her to explore her academic and professional interests while impacting the community positively. She praises the diverse Oberlin community for its ideas, insights, and specialized knowledge.

Owens also reflects on the unique and close-knit Bonner Scholar community, fostering intimate conversations and relationships. She fondly remembers the All-Bonner Retreat, where she and others reflected on their growth and development at Oberlin.

Overall, Owens' experiences demonstrate the power of community service to shape individuals' academic and personal growth.

HPU’s VISTAs and Bonners Accomplish Service Milestones in 2021-22 Academic Year

HPU’s VISTAs and Bonners Accomplish Service Milestones in 2021-22 Academic Year

High Point University’s AmeriCorps VISTAs and Bonner Leaders have worked throughout the past year to better the High Point community.

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Faith Marable '21 at Carson-Newman Featured in 'The College Tour' TV Series

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Faith Marable '21 at Carson-Newman Featured in 'The College Tour' TV Series

Bonner Scholar Alum, Faith Marable, was recently featured in a segment of Carson-Newman University’s episode on The College Tour TV series. Faith graduated from Carson-Newman in 2021 with a Psychology major. Her hometown is Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In the segment, Faith shares about her experience as a Bonner Scholar at Carson-Newman University and how that’s translated to her career aspirations as a mental health counselor. Faith is currently working as an Admissions Representative while pursuing her a masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Carson-Newman.

Chancellor Celebrates Launch of University of Hawai'i at Hilo's Bonner Leader Program

Chancellor Celebrates Launch of University of Hawai'i at Hilo's Bonner Leader Program

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo has thrived by cultivating relationships with the local community. We serve our community through giving access to higher education, but also through the support we give community projects in our research, volunteerism, and service projects.

UH Hilo is a placed-based university, meaning the importance of place is foremost in our strategic planning efforts now underway. Equally important to us are the relationships we build, which are at the core of everything in education; the most effective teachers are those who can establish rapport and meaningful relationships with students.

One project that really brings place and people together in a powerful way is the Bonner Leadership Program.

Elizabethtown College Launching Bonner Program in Fall 2022

Elizabethtown College Launching Bonner Program in Fall 2022

Director of the Elizabethtown College Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) Javita Thompson is piloting a service leadership program for incoming first-year Etown students.

The Bonner Leader Program was started by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation in 1990. The overarching goal is to improve relations between students and communities by bridging the gap between the basic needs of nutrition and educational opportunity.

The Bonner Leader program will become a multifaceted program that allows Etown students to gain leadership skills while performing service initiatives to improve relationships with community organizations. The program is one of many initiatives to help with the College’s strategic plan, specifically the theme of “inclusive excellence.”

Albion College Community Collaborative Featured as Model for Post-Covid Engagement

Albion College Community Collaborative Featured as Model for Post-Covid Engagement

Albion College’s Community Collaborative (AC3) is featured in this Inside Higher Ed column by Vicki L. Baker titled “Reimagining Community Engagement for a Post-COVID World.” The article “offers four lessons that colleges should consider in developing these partnerships and programs.”

University of Mississippi's First Bonner Program Cohort Gets to Work

University of Mississippi's First Bonner Program Cohort Gets to Work

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi has its first-ever cohort of Bonner Program students who have started their four-year campaigns to transform their campus and community through service projects.

The university’s Bonner Program, housed at the new UM Center for Community Engagement, is part of a diverse, multistate network of colleges and universities with their own Bonner programs. The program is part of the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which works to “transform students, communities and campuses through service.”

$5.5 Million Grant Helps Fund New Center for Community Engagement at High Point University

$5.5 Million Grant Helps Fund New Center for Community Engagement at High Point University

HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 16, 2021 – High Point University dedicates thousands of hours annually giving back to the community in many ways. The university will now be able to grow its community outreach programs thanks to a generous grant.

Oak Foundation is helping fund the creation of the HPU Center for Community Engagement which is expected to begin operating in the fall. The $5.5-million grant is one of the largest in HPU’s history. The international organization has funded more than 5,400 grants worldwide since it was founded in 1983.

Waynesburg Launches Center for Corporate Social Responsibility

Waynesburg Launches Center for Corporate Social Responsibility

Chevron and Waynesburg University announced today the launch of the Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at Waynesburg University, a first-of-its-kind center in the region. The center was made possible through a $250,000 commitment from Chevron.

During a press event hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Chevron and Waynesburg University shared their excitement about the partnership and provided an overview of the center’s programming.

Our partnership with Waynesburg University underscores our belief that the best way to support the region, now and for decades to come, is to work with community partners to achieve shared goals.”

-Trip Oliver, manager of policy, government and public affairs for Chevron Appalachia

The center will seek to build a network of professionals in the region, encompassing all of southwestern Pennsylvania, and will be dedicated to sharing best practices in corporate social responsibility (CSR) work. As a membership organization, valuable resources will be shared with members to build strong and more valuable CSR programs.

For Bonners at Brown, a deep dive into community engagement

For Bonners at Brown, a deep dive into community engagement

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Rainbow Chen, a second-year student at Brown, leads a group of high school students up and down Broad Street in Providence's South Side, a low-income, majority Hispanic neighborhood. They’re in search of local residents willing to be interviewed about living here for a project called “Humans of Providence,” which strives to unearth stories of people who traditionally have not been represented in narratives about living in the city.

So far, no takers — yet Chen and her fellow students are undaunted. They continue their search, sharing an easy camaraderie as they wander down the street. It’s obvious they’ve spent a lot of time together.

“This is not just a job for me,” Chen said. “I am so lucky that I get to spend time with these youth who are going to make such a big difference in the world.”

Bonner Scholars’ Summer Means Service

Bonner Scholars’ Summer Means Service

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- From Tanzania to Mississippi and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the South Carolina coast, Wofford College’s Bonner Scholars celebrated their summer “vacations” in service to others.

The program’s “Summer of Service” placed 31 Bonner Scholars in a variety of service positions this past summer. Many worked with children; some assisted special-needs adults; others returned to their hometowns to work in YMCA or summer camp programs.

Bonner Scholars are required to work with a nonprofit organization of their choice during two summers of their college years. Wofford scholars have worked in local, national and international communities, returning to campus with broader understanding and new perspectives on life’s challenges.

Bonners also serve during the academic year, but the summer service is full-time and gives students a more complete experience in a field of their choice.

Alumni Magazine Celebrates Berea's Spirit of Service

Alumni Magazine Celebrates Berea's Spirit of Service

The letter of the editor, Abbie Tanyhill Darst ‘03, opens as follows: “Since Berea’s founding, service to the region upon whose foothills Berea is located, has been fundamental to the function of the College and a product of the education with which our students leave. John G. Fee’s vision to educate the impoverished of all races and genders could only be met after meeting the needs of the communities Berea intended to serve. is idea of service and community involvement became the foundation for Berea to grow into the service-minded institution it is today.”

Read the full magazine here.