Lincoln College launches RISE with a special lunch break for students and community

[March 21, 2018] 

LINCOLN

On Tuesday, members of the community were invited to participate in a special lunch break with students at Lincoln College as the college launched a new initiative aimed at improving student life and enhancing community relationships. The RISE - Responsibility, Integrity, Service and Empowerment – project is starting with a RISE task force consisting of staff, faculty, administration, and students representing every faction of the Lincoln College campus.

On Tuesday, Task Force Chair and Director of Residential Life Quentin Brackenridge, with Task force members Zachary Landers – Coordinator of Student Activities, and Cindy Dunovsky – dining hall staff, spent some time talking about task force goals and the desired outcomes in the future.

Brackenridge explained that the task force was formed in December of last year at the request of LC President Dr. David Gerlach. The members of the task force included people from all aspects of the college - staff, faculty, administration and students. The group was charged with the task of developing a program that would help students be responsible citizens, know how to behave in public, and how to gain respect as a member of the student body on campus and out in the community.

Brackenridge said the students will have guidance and support in understanding what it means to be a good citizen of a community, and will be given the tools and guidance they need to understand the value of a community and being involved.

Brackenridge said one of the aspects of this is going to include urging students to become involved in local activities off campus, giving them support and motivation to become volunteers in the community, and to be a part of the good works others are doing, such as the Habitat program or Humane Society.

Landers said that for students, many of whom come from other geographical locations, coming to Lincoln and Lincoln College can be somewhat of a culture shock. He explained that small town living and rural life are strange to them, and there needs to be a time of introduction and integration as the students work to become a part of the college life and also of the community. The Task force will help students to understand the culture and the lifestyle.

In the future, Landers said that RISE will be a part of new student orientation, where students will hear RISE expectations and will be given leadership in adjusting to a new way of life. Zachary explained that for the students the change in lifestyle is part of their “journey,” and RISE will help guide the students on that journey.

On Tuesday, Cindy Dunovsky was greeting people as they came in and talking with them about the RISE program as she led them into large area where a buffet lunch was set up for everyone to enjoy. She said that the community in general had been invited to come in, but that there had been special invitations go out to the Lincoln and Logan County Law Enforcement offices as well as the Lincoln Fire Department, Logan County Paramedics, and Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman. All were invited to come out and have lunch and spend time visiting with students in a relaxed atmosphere.

Brackenridge and Landers would later note that it is not at all uncommon for the Lincoln Police Officers to stop in and have lunch on campus, and interact with students. He said the officers and other members of the service community have a standing invitation to drop in and have lunch on the house with the students, and many take advantage of the offer because it gives them the opportunity for positive interaction with students as a person of authority in the community.

Gathered in front of the 'High Five" table: (left to right) Director of Resident Life and chairman of the task force Quentin Brackenridge, student Antonio Williams, Coordinator of Student Activities and task force member Zachary Landers, students Mya Patrick and Jacob Doubet, dining hall staff and task force member Cindy Duvosky, Bill Hill with LC Security, and student Shae Ramos.

Brackenridge said that while the task force is just getting off the ground, there are plans for how it will move forward, which includes creating a sub-committee that is made up of students only. He said the project has to be accepted by the students, and more or less led by the students if it is to succeed.

On Tuesday, as students came in for lunch, they were reminded of the task force “High Five.” Brackenridge said that there will be fliers throughout the campus reminding students of the High Five expectations from the students.

Those expectations:

Be Respectful – Demonstrate courteous and thoughtful behaviors to others and your environment.

Be Truthful – Embrace integrity and honorable actions to help foster growth.

Be Engaged – Make a positive contribution to the learning and social experiences on campus.

Be Responsible – Take ownership of your actions, decisions and behaviors.

Be Supportive – Recognize the needs of others by showing compassion.

Students throughout the school year will be encouraged to “RISE to the High Five.”

Students were also offered definition of the RISE Responsible Citizenship goal – “Responsible Citizenship is recognizing one’s accountability to a larger communit6y by acting ‘responsibly,’ respectfully and with integrity, while managing one’s actions, decisions and behaviors.”

In the middle of the room on Tuesday, tables were set up with paper hands laid out. Students were asked to write on a hand a responsible act, something that demonstrates good citizenship on campus and within the community.

Bill Hill with the LC Security addressed students, talking with Brackenridge about what responsible behavior is and offering examples of how students can practice such behavior.

Landers said that in the future, there will be more events and activities that focus on the RISE theme and will promote good social skills, positive interactions with fellow students, staff, and members of the community. He said plans are still being drawn out, but students can expect to be hearing a great deal more about the RISE movement as time goes by.

[Nila Smith]