Rouse Participates in Volunteerism Summit

Joining President Clinton, retired Gen. Colin Powell and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala, Mary Rouse, dean of students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, took part in the President’s Summit for America’s Future April 27-29 in Philadelphia.

Rouse was part of a delegation from Madison and Wisconsin. In total, about 2,000 individuals participated from across the country.

The conference sought to explore and expand the role of national networks, institutions, labor and business in improving conditions and opportunities for America’s young people. Rouse says UW–Madison’s emphasis on volunteerism makes the university a leader in this area. She says the large number of UW–Madison students who elect to join the Peace Corps and other service organizations testifies to the success of institution’s support for volunteer initiatives.

She adds the university’s Morgridge Center for Public Service, which will be located in the Red Gym in the fall of 1998, extends UW–Madison’s commitment. At the moment, an advisory board of faculty, staff and students are planning the expanded center.

Meanwhile, Rouse says the national conference will help direct public attention to the importance of service. “I am happy to represent the university — one of its long-standing missions is public service. In fact, public service is the foundation of the Wisconsin Idea,” she says, referring to the commitment made early in the century to extend the UW’s expertise and resources beyond the campus to the people of the state, nation and world.

“The university, Dane County and the city of Madison are on the very leading edge of innovative community service,” she says. “Together we can ensure all our citizens, from babies to the elderly, enjoy a high quality of life and opportunity.”