FRESNO STATE -- A California State University, Fresno student is participating in a Summer Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service believed to be the only one of its kind in the nation for college undergraduate students.
     Wendy Conrotto is among 38 students selected for the third year of the Institute, which is being conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
     "More young people today are making giving and volunteering part of their lives," said Eugene R. Tempel, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy.
     "Through this program, the Center helps college students more fully understand philanthropy and its role in our society. Our hope is make these students aware of the possibility of studying philanthropy more formally when they return to their colleges and universities."
     "Students attending the Institute will gain a thorough understanding of philanthropic traditions through interaction with national leaders, classroom activities and real-life experiences," said Dr. Leslie Lenkowsky, director of the Institute and professor of philanthropic studies and public policy at Indiana University.
     "By the end of the program, students should have a clearer vision of what they want to accomplish and may discover a new direction for their careers after college."
     The Center is hosting the six-week residential program in conjunction with the Fund for American Studies, a Washington, D.C., based independent, nonprofit organization that sponsors a variety of intensive summer institutes for college students in the United States and Europe.
     Students will live and study on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where the Center on Philanthropy is headquartered, from June 9 to July 21.
     The students will take two academic classes, "The Role of Philanthropy and Voluntary Service in the United States," and "The Ethics and Values of Philanthropy," exploring historical, economic, philosophical, and public policy influences in philanthropy.
     They will gain practical experience in internships with leading Indianapolis nonprofit and philanthropic organizations such as College Mentors for Kids,
     The Julian Center, Central Indiana Community Foundation and a local YMCA branch. Among the national leaders who will speak to the group are Rev. Mark Scott, associate director of community outreach for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; John Whitehead, former Deputy Secretary of State; and Mike Hodin, Ph.D., vice president - corporate affairs at Pfizer Inc.
     The students, who will earn six academic credit hours from Indiana University, will participate in field trips to New Harmony, and Chicago, including Jane Addams' Hull House to witness the effects and history of philanthropic activity.
     Most participants are entering their junior or senior year. They were selected based on academic records and involvement in tutoring, mentoring and other service programs with their campuses and communities.
     Colleges and universities of all sizes and geographic areas are represented, including University of Puerto Rico, Harvard University, The College of William and Mary, UCLA and Rhodes College.
     The Center on Philanthropy is the largest and most comprehensive academic center dedicated to research, teaching and practice related to philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations.

      [Editor's Note: For more information, contact Adriene Davis at (317) 236-4912 or Ty Gerig at (317) 684-8906.]

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