An Introduction to the Audio Interview
“Community service has taught me all kinds of skills and increased my confidence. You go out there and think on your feet, work with others and create something from nothing. That’s what life’s all about.”
— Andrew Shue, American Actor and Soccer Player
A bonus blog for this week is part one of a two-part special on the subject of public action writing or community-based writing. This subject promotes community literacy, advocacy, and ethnography in a plethora of ways. At Marian University, service goes hand-in-hand with the Franciscan value of Responsible Stewardship. This is why so many groups and clubs on campus choose to go out and serve their communities.
For most Marian students, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is a day to go to a designated area and perform service on a day that would otherwise just be spent on homework or leisure. For San Damiano Scholars, such as myself, service is a HUGE component for fulfilling the program’s goal of making “future leaders of the Catholic Church.” Thus, I have embarked on service-oriented missions to Oldenburg, Indiana, Hope Center Indy, and even to the Exodus Refugee Immigration Center.
One thing that San Dam taught me is the importance of reflection. With every experience I participate in, journaling is always stressed in the end. For them, it is often the encouragement of taking note of how we might have experienced God in others or how we are fulfilling God’s works. I think this is an important activity for the formation of faith. However, for students that are looking to gain valuable insights into service or hope to change the world by beginning in their communities, I think journaling and writing are key catalysts for success.
To expound upon the applicable nature of writing in community service, I have consulted with Professor Mark Latta, the Director of the Marian University Writing Center, a Marian English Professor, and an active member of community engagement in the Near Northwest Community. He offers insights into how he integrates service work into his pedagogies, or teaching strategies. He gives his background on how he became involved in service, how he continues to be passionate about it, and most importantly gives writers a reason to serve their communities.
Instead of my usual writing, I have decided to turn my interview into a podcast so you can hear the sage words of advice from Professor Mark Latta. Be sure to comment your thoughts on public action writing or ideas for how students can become more involved in service. Part 2 will appear next week to show an example of how a previous student uses writing to engage in community service.
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The Writer's Desk 
Hi, Dr. O here. Great job! This was an excellent first post. I’m invested in the blog and the subject.…