Robertson scholar Dan Kimberg (Trinity ’07) volunteered in local schools during high school, and pursued those interests at Duke, combining his academics with community service. In the following interview he discusses his current activities and his future plans, and offers some tips to students who want to start a community service project.
We went to the “library”: a room smelling of the nearby boys’ bathroom, with leftover desks, chairs, and about twenty books, ranging from Cinderella to War and Peace – all jumbled up randomly. Library. I circled the word on my yellow paper.
As we continued to walk, I thought about how I could help this school and its students. A week later the school had been repainted. Three weeks later, students enjoyed physical education classes taught by Duke and UNC students. As months went on, more items were crossed off my yellow sheet: I began to understand how possible it is to make a difference.
LTMD: What tips do you have for students interested in starting a civic engagement project?
Dan: I have been incredibly fortunate at Duke to have professors who helped me apply my classroom experience to the real world. In freshman year I took a class with Dr. David Malone, a professor in the Program in Education, and realized we shared similar visions for the education system in America. We talked frequently about education and started to plan specific projects to improve education in Durham.
Once you have an idea for a project, be sure the group you are trying to help actually wants your assistance. Too often, the community is used by Duke students and faculty as a “testing ground” for new ideas, most of which benefit the Duke community more than the larger Durham community.
After determining a true need, find out if anyone is already working on a similar project. Share ideas, and if you find common ground, join forces. Once you have a small group, there should be enough energy and commitment to begin making something happen.
LTMD: Where do you go from here in pursuing your interests?
Dan: I am working with a team of Duke and UNC students on a project called Student U., which started in Tony Brown's Enterprising class. Student U is an enrichment program for underprivileged middle school students beginning in summer, 2007.
I will always be involved in improving education, whether I’m teaching fifth grade in Durham or writing policy in Washington. I have a whole notebook of yellow sheets filled with “opportunities” for our schools. I look forward to crossing these out, one at a time.
LTMD: What was your first step toward taking your education into the world?
We went to the “library”: a room smelling of the nearby boys’ bathroom, with leftover desks, chairs, and about twenty books, ranging from Cinderella to War and Peace – all jumbled up randomly. Library. I circled the word on my yellow paper.
As we continued to walk, I thought about how I could help this school and its students. A week later the school had been repainted. Three weeks later, students enjoyed physical education classes taught by Duke and UNC students. As months went on, more items were crossed off my yellow sheet: I began to understand how possible it is to make a difference.
LTMD: What tips do you have for students interested in starting a civic engagement project?
Dan: I have been incredibly fortunate at Duke to have professors who helped me apply my classroom experience to the real world. In freshman year I took a class with Dr. David Malone, a professor in the Program in Education, and realized we shared similar visions for the education system in America. We talked frequently about education and started to plan specific projects to improve education in Durham.
Once you have an idea for a project, be sure the group you are trying to help actually wants your assistance. Too often, the community is used by Duke students and faculty as a “testing ground” for new ideas, most of which benefit the Duke community more than the larger Durham community.
After determining a true need, find out if anyone is already working on a similar project. Share ideas, and if you find common ground, join forces. Once you have a small group, there should be enough energy and commitment to begin making something happen.
LTMD: Where do you go from here in pursuing your interests?
Dan: I am working with a team of Duke and UNC students on a project called Student U., which started in Tony Brown's Enterprising class. Student U is an enrichment program for underprivileged middle school students beginning in summer, 2007.
I will always be involved in improving education, whether I’m teaching fifth grade in Durham or writing policy in Washington. I have a whole notebook of yellow sheets filled with “opportunities” for our schools. I look forward to crossing these out, one at a time.