The Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) Student Essay contest,
established in 1998, celebrates 10 years of student excellence this
upcoming fall semester! This contest continues to support
student achievement and the essential reflection process that is so
vital to AS-L and student learning.
Eligibilty
Full-time/Part-time graduate and undergraduate students, who have
participated in an AS-L project during Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 on
any of the University’s campuses, are eligible to enter the
contest.
Opening Dates For Spring
Semester
Essays will be accepted April 7, 2008 through May 6, 2008. All
essays should be sent to:
Queens
Campus
Louis E. Saavedra, AS-L Coordinator
Office of Academic Service-Learning
Bent Hall Garden Level, Room 18
saavedrl@stjohns.edu
(718) 990-6499
Staten Island
Campus
Crystal Vera, AS-L Specialist
Office of Academic Service-Learning
Flynn Hall, Room 208.
verac@stjohns.edu
(718) 390-4119
Student Notification Date
Winners will be notified via e-mail, phone call, and/or US mail no
later than May 16, 2008
Theme
“S.E.R.V.E.” — Students Engage in Reflective Vincentian
Education
Essay Topic
The Roman Catholic Church teaches, as do all of the world’s great
religions, that individuals have a special duty to take action on
behalf of the poor. Often, the term “poor” suggests a lack of
food, medical care, clothing, housing and other material
goods. Being marginalized—being discounted—is also form of
poverty that demands a response from us as servant leaders.
Keeping in mind this duty to take action on behalf of the
marginalized and the poor, how has your AS-L experience given you
new insight into what it means to be part of a Vincentian
University?
Essay Guidelines
- All essays must be academically relevant to the class in which
it is assigned.
- Essay length is between 750 and 1000 words.
- No graphic language, violent or sexual content is allowed.
- All materials must me be the original work of the person
submitting the essay.
- The essay should be printed on an 8 ½ inch by 11 inch paper,
double spaced, in Times New Roman font, black ink, with standard
formatting margins.
A title page must be included with:
- Title of essay centered approximately in the middle of the
page.
- In the lower right corner, student name; student X number;
student e-mail address ; AS-L class name and course number; faculty
name; and semester when course was taken.
The essay should include a short discussion of:
- What were your expectations for your AS-L experience?
- Where did you go?
- What did you do?
- What did you see?
- What did you hear?
- How did you feel?
Prizes/Awards
- 1st Place - $500 American Express Gift Certificate
- 2nd Place - $250 American Express Gift Certificate
- 3rd Place - $100 American Express Gift Certificate