For the past several years members of the Class of '59 have been working with the Tucker Foundation staff to develop a new and innovative community service internship program. The result of this collaborative effort is the Dartmouth Partners in Community Service (DPCS) program. The DPCS program offered its first internships in the Summer Term of 1996, and has been growing steadily ever since.
DPCS is much like the Tucker Fellowship program in that it provides full-time volunteer internships for students during their off-terms. However, the Partner program also includes a mentor component, in which each intern is guided by a member of the Class of 1959. Many members of the class participate in the program by serving as contacts with community service organizations and mentoring student interns. This relationship strengthens the value of the internship for all of the participants: students, alumni and community service organizations.
Students gain valuable experience at the agencies and are able to share their insights, questions and concerns with their mentors. The mentors are able to interact with current Dartmouth students who share their interest in service and community involvement.
The mentor/student relationships can become very meaningful for both parties. Joanne Fixman '99, who had a DPCS internship at Thetford Elementary School during the Spring of 1997, wrote that her mentor, Emily Drew, the School Librarian and wife of Ben Drew '59, was "a wonderful, kind, caring woman who made my stay [at the school] especially enjoyable." Mrs. Drew praised Joanne's work and the wonderful contributions she made to the life of the school.
During the Spring Term, two Dartmouth students have been offered DPCS Internships. Alice Nelson '99 will work at New England Baptist Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Alan Robbins '59, President of New England Baptist Hospital. The New England Baptist internship is the most popular placement offered by DPCS, and former interns praise the involvement and guidance of Dr. Robbins.
Frances Baxley '99 will pioneer a new internship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the Elderlife Program. Frances will be mentored by Dr. William Boyle '59, Professor of Pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School. Frances has been an Elderlife volunteer for three terms and looks forward to devoting herself to this work full time.
The success and growth of the DPCS program at the Tucker Foundation is due to the dedication and support of the DPCS Alumni Board, Chaired by Karl Holtzschue '59, and local representatives Joanne Wise, Jim Wise '59 and Jim Wooster III '59.
The Dartmouth Partners program makes strong connections. By linking students interested in service with meaningful internships along with caring and involved mentors the program is able to provide much needed assistance to many community service agencies. Members of the Class of '59 have been working to encourage other classes to become involved in this program. We look forward to the continued expansion and development of this unique and valuable program. For information on how you or your Class can become involved, please contact Michael Ricci at the Tucker Foundation.
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