Shaping a future in which social justice and environmental sustainability are woven into the fabric of everyday life is the ultimate goal of a new William Jewell College program that is  distinctive among top national liberal arts colleges.

The Center for Justice and Sustainability was established in the summer of 2008 to guide Jewell students toward a thoughtful examination of social, economic and ecological justice.

“Giving, serving, living what you learn: this is the soul of William Jewell,” said Dr. Andy Pratt, Executive Director of the Center for Justice and Sustainability. “The issues we’re examining are those that arise at the very point where faith and learning intersect. The work of the Center will give shape and direction to both the educational and personal development experiences that William Jewell has historically honored. “

Although the Center is not envisioned as a freestanding, “bricks and mortar” structure, it will play a significant role in focusing discussion within the William Jewell College community on issues related to social, economic and ecological justice.

Dr. Pratt noted that William Jewell students have a longstanding commitment to service. During the 2007-08 school year alone, students contributed 44,000 hours of service to the community. Some of those hours were spent on local projects, such as repairing and painting homes for area residents, supporting the homeless and mentoring youth. Other projects took place across the world. “William Jewell recognizes that there is a greater common good—greater than our own selves—that must be served,” Dr. Pratt said.  “Establishing the Center says that this common good has a central place in students’ lives, and that their education is meant to benefit others as well as themselves.”

In order for students to better understand justice issues, the Center will facilitate the process of putting education into practice. Student-developed and executed action projects will take place on a personal level, a campus level, a community level or even a global level. The College is currently seeking funding to support these projects through the Center.

The Center for Justice and Sustainability’s signature event will be an annual Summit. This two- to three-day gathering will celebrate Jewell graduates who have committed their careers to social, economic and ecological justice. National speakers and workshops also may attract community members who will leave energized about putting their own ideas into action.

“Unquestionably, the Center for Justice and Sustainability will become a powerful symbol for William Jewell,” said Dr. David Sallee, President of the College. “It represents a clear commitment to our belief that we are a community focused on providing students and graduates with exposure to the world’s most pressing issues, questions and problems.“

Watch for announcements and additional details about specific programming related to the Center for Justice and Sustainability on William Jewell’s website at www.jewell.edu, in the Cardinal Connection e-newsletter, and in the spring issue of Achieve magazine.