Community engagement summit takes place next month at MSU
Contact: Zack Plair
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A statewide non-profit organization that works to encourage citizenship, service and responsibility will hold a major event Aug. 12 at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø State.
The 2015 President's Summit on Community Engagement will take place 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the university's Colvard Student Union.
Meggan Franks said MSU and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø University for Women are collaborating with the Jackson-based Volunteer 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's Engage 51³Ô¹ÏÍø program to "help make a difference by connecting campus resources, community organizations, businesses, funders, civic groups and volunteers."
While the event is free, advanced registration is requested at , added Franks, assistant director of MSU's Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement, a part of the Division of Student Affairs.
The summit opens with welcoming remarks by MSU President Mark E. Keenum and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, followed by brief presentations by various state non-profit and other groups. Lunch and a series of break-out sessions conclude the day. A complete agenda will be available at the above-listed website.
At lunch, Blake Wilson, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Economic Council president, will speak on the topic "Building a Business Model for a Charitable Economy," following remarks from MUW President Jim Borsig. Wilson also is moderating an afternoon panel discussion.
"Building on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's 138-year history of life-changing learning, innovation and service, we are pleased to partner with the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø University for Women and Engage 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to strengthen partnerships with community agencies in 51³Ô¹ÏÍø," said Cade Smith, MSU interim associate dean of students and director for the Office of Student Leadership and Community Engagement. "We hope everyone leaves this event with a greater understanding of how mutually beneficial community-based collaboration drives the social, educational and economic progress for citizens across our state."
Established in 1994 as the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Commission for Volunteer Service, Volunteer 51³Ô¹ÏÍø operates in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Institutions of Higher Learning, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Department of Education and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Center for Nonprofits, along with faith-based and community organizations statewide.
MSU, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's flagship research university, is online at , meridian.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate, using hashtag #WeRingTrue.