Bonner Scholars at Waynesburg University “become servant leaders who make connections between head, hands, and heart,” according to Waynesburg University’s website. Bertram and Corella Bonner created the Bonner Foundation. The goal of the foundation was to help provide access to education. The Bonner Scholar Program goal is to provide access to education while also sharing an opportunity to serve. Mrs. Corella Bonner was recognized for creating “powerful opportunities for students to develop strong leadership skills as they link lessons learned in the classroom with knowledge gained from service and volunteerism.”
“Waynesburg University is one of 21 Bonner Scholar schools in our country,” says Adrienne Tharp, Director of the Center for Service Leadership with the Bonner Scholars Program. She mentions that the Bonner Scholar Program has been “part of the campus, as well as the community, for 30 years.” The program was started in 1990 and has continued to expand ever since.
High school students in their senior year can apply to be a Bonner Scholar in college. Bonner Scholars are required to complete 140 service hours each fall and spring. In addition, Bonner Scholars must complete two summers of service of 280 hours. Most students aim to complete an average of 8-10 hours of service each week. Students must also maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and participate in enrichment activities and training. Each student’s experience is unique. Students can select their path of service and how they would like to complete their service requirements with guidance from the Waynesburg University Bonner Scholar Program staff.
Each year 15 new students are selected as Bonner Scholars, and most are involved for four years. The Bonner Scholarship is merit-based. Those who receive the scholarship have it applied to financial aid packages to offset their education costs. The scholarship awards $3,000 each year ($1,500 each for the fall and spring semesters). Bonner Scholars also receive a $2,500 living stipend while working on their two summers of service. After completion of summer service requirements, Bonner Scholars receive an additional $2,000 per year to offset educational expenses.
All schools in the Bonner network commit to the following principles called the Common Commitments:
Civic Engagement- participating in different forms of engagement, such as service, social action, political engagement, and public policy.
Community Building- creating and sustaining a community of personal relationships and shared interests.
Diversity- showing respect for other personal and group identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, class, religion, and physical and mental ability.
International Perspective- developing global and international understanding to enable individuals to participate in an interconnected world, and to appreciate and transcend national boundaries.
Social Justice- understanding and advocating for fairness, impartiality, and equity in addressing systemic social and environmental issues.
Spiritual Exploration- reflecting on and exploring personal beliefs while also respecting the ethical and spiritual practices, and values of others.
Wellness- nurturing the resilience, development, and substance of the whole person and of communities.
Adrienne Tharp says that “throughout their time in the program they are enhancing their personal and professional skills as well as enhancing and developing their leadership…we are always looking at ways to challenge and encourage our students to grow.”
Bonner Scholars at Waynesburg University can serve with several local organizations within Greene County. A few of the places they are serving: Domestic Violence Services, Bowlby Library, WWJD, Greene County United Way, West Sides Youth, Jefferson Baptist Group, the Senior Center, and Gateway Senior Housing. In addition to all the help they provide to these local organizations, Bonner Scholars provide a dinner at St. Ann’s on Tuesday nights. Some Bonner Scholars also offer tutoring and mentoring throughout the county.
“For me, the best part of the program is watching a student begin their freshman year and to watch their journey to senior year. It isn’t often you get to see this type of transformative experience happen for students and I get to see it for 60 of them…I enjoy watching them learn, grow, be challenged, and have their hearts and eyes opened to so many new things. Our program really challenges students to become present and aware of what is happening in their world. Service is much deeper than what many of them are used to and have previously experienced,” Adrienne says.
The Bonner Scholar Program provides students all over the country with a chance to attend college. The Bonner family would be proud to see their dreams being fulfilled both locally and throughout America.