First Group of Sacramento Graduate Students Take Part In Many Civic Projects
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently commended seven student leaders at Drexel University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento for their classmates’ work as volunteers on projects to benefit the community.
Members of Drexel’s Sacramento Graduate Student Association (GSA) and Carl “Tobey” Oxholm III, Senior Vice President of Drexel University and Dean of its Graduate Center in Sacramento, were present at the Board of Supervisors meeting to accept the honor.
“At a time when it is easy to withdraw and wait for the economic storm to blow over, Drexel’s students are reaching out and investing in their communities,” the Resolution reads. “The Board of Supervisors, County of Sacramento, recognizes and thanks the inaugural students of Drexel University for their civic engagement, and expresses their appreciation to the board of the Sacramento Graduate Student Association for their leadership.”
The Resolution notes that public service takes resolve and commitment: “Drexel’s students are exceptionally dedicated because they are all working adults whose lives are complicated by children and elderly parents, by jobs that are demanding, and by a difficult economy.”
The graduate student leaders to whom the Resolution was presented were Kyle Glankler, President; Larry Mandelberg, Vice President; Jennifer Dzakowic, Secretary; Scott Freeman, Treasurer; and board representatives Paul Green, Barbara Bernardin, Tipton Russell, Sr., and Marcella Gonsalves.
Among the volunteer projects that Drexel’s graduate students have participated in were the Great American River Clean Up; working the telephones for a KVIE fundraiser; donating blood to BloodSource; collecting toys for the Department of Health and Human Services; collecting professional clothing for the Sacramento Food Bank, entering a team and collecting donations for the Run to Feed the Hungry and the Komen Race for the Cure; and cleaning a section of the Sacramento bike trail during Earth Week. In each of these projects, Drexel’s faculty and staff have also participated.
“The students at Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia have a long-standing tradition of being involved in their community and we wanted to establish that same tradition here in Sacramento,” said Glankler, an MBA student at Drexel who visited Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia earlier this year. “The graduate students in Sacramento see ourselves as the future leaders of this region, and we want to demonstrate that we care deeply about our community. We want to be among a group of people that is helping make this a better place to live and work. It’s nice to be commended by the Board of Supervisors, and we thank them for the honor; but we’re not in it for the recognition. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work because we care.”
The Supervisors commendation notes that: “despite substantial demands on their time and the added pressure of pursuing a graduate degree from one of the country’s top-ranked universities, the students of Drexel University have taken it upon themselves to make sure that public service is a constant part of their graduate education.” Glankler, for example, recently had his second child this year, in addition to working at Roebbelen Construction, one of the region’s premier contractors.
“Drexel students balance demanding jobs, family responsibilities and the academic challenge of being a graduate student,” Oxholm said. “Despite their hectic schedules, our students manage to make time to volunteer on a number of great projects in Sacramento. We are proud of the great work our students are doing and their commitment to the community.”
Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel has earned a reputation for being on the cutting edge of higher education, and is ranked fourth most innovative university in the country by U.S.News & World Report. In 2009, Drexel University was honored as one of the top 10 universities in improving the economic, cultural and social life in their urban communities.
Drexel opened its doors in Sacramento in January 2009 and by the end of March 2010, over 250 students had enrolled in its graduate programs. It is now enrolling students in programs that will start this coming fall – the final cohort for the “inaugural students” who will enroll before the Center’s first cohort has graduated.
The eight graduate programs offered this year are designed for working professionals and focused at the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives – entrepreneurial business, health, higher education, and information technology.
For more information on the Center for Graduate Studies, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento, call (888) 389-3781 or (916) 325-4600, or attend one of the Information Sessions held every other week at the Center. The next Information Sessions will be May 22, June 16 and June 30.
Additional Student Quotes
Marcella Gonsalves, Antelope
“Being a public health professional, I have always had a passion for helping others,” said Gonsalves, a Public Health student. “I feel proud that Drexel demonstrates the same commitment and passion to our community that I do. I'm certain that Drexel definitely was the right choice for my master’s degree.”
Larry Mandelberg, Citrus Heights
“Now that Drexel has brought their top-tier nationally recognized graduate programs to Sacramento, we truly have world class education opportunities that link the East coast with the West coast,” said Mandelberg, an MBA student. “I am incredibly proud and blessed as a member of the first group of students at the Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies. As a Drexel alumni, I will strive to live up to and extend the reputation they bring with them.”
Tipton Russell, West Sacramento
“The Sacramento County Board of Supervisor’s recognition is a humbling accolade celebrating all Drexel students who put so much of themselves into their communities,” said Russell, a Higher Education student. “The honor is very much appreciated.”
Scott Freeman, Citrus Heights
“To be recognized by the Board of Supervisors is an honor and a testament to the positive impact that Drexel has been able to have in such a short time,” said Freeman, an MBA student. “Two years ago hardly anyone knew who Drexel was. In that brief period I’ve been able to work alongside my classmates and watch them evolve into leaders who make a positive impact in their vocations and communities.”
Barbara Bernardin, Folsom
“In addition to our course work, Drexel encourages students to get involved in the community and to step into leadership roles,” said Bernardin, a Library and Information Science student. ”Doing so allows us to practice what we are learning and to be engaged in the world around us. Performing volunteer work allows us to interact with Drexel staff, faculty, and other students in a non-academic setting. It certainly enhances the graduate school experience. The recognition by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is great, but the best reward is knowing that I've done something to improve my community.”
Jennifer Dzakowic, Rough and Ready
“I am very proud and honored that the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recognized Drexel student leaders,” said Dzakowic, an MBA student. “Drexel student life is so much more than text books and exams. Drexel students lead by volunteering and getting involved with our communities. “
Paul Green, Stockton
““It’s an honor to receive this commendation from the Board of Supervisors, but I think I probably speak for everyone when I say that it’s not the reason we’ve done this,” said Green, an MBA student. “We formed the student association because we had this vision of an educational experience that was deeper and broader than just classroom training. Our individual and collective goals include growing in leadership in the Sacramento region, and that means we have to immerse ourselves in the community as volunteers devoting time and energy to causes we believe in. I personally feel like what we’ve worked on over the past 11/2 years is just fully developing ourselves as positive contributors to the region.”