Fifth-Graders Interview President

Fifth-Graders Learn the Value of Public Service

by MaryAlice Bitts

March 9, 2010

Students take notes as President William G. Durden '71 speaks with fifth-graders at Bellaire Elementary School. The president's visit is only one example of Dickinsonians' involvement in the local community.

As president of a top liberal-arts college, William G. Durden '71 is quite accustomed to public appearances and interviews. Rarely, however, does he get an opportunity to speak about his famous bow-tie collection.

But that was the case during a recent interview with fifth-grade students at Carlisle's Bellaire Elementary School. The president and other local leaders had been invited by teachers Millie Gilbert, Cynthia Yerkes and Cheri Patterson to visit the school and help the students practice their interview skills.

As the fifth-graders quizzed the president about his work and life, they also discovered Dickinson's strong ties to the local community.

A much-anticipated event
The students interviewed a select group of community celebrities: President Durden and other Dickinson leaders—Cathy Davenport, executive director of admissions; Joel Quattrone, associate director of athletics; and Les Poolman, director of athletics—and community leaders Sonya Browne, president of Hope Station and program director at the YWCA, and Jim Washington, executive director of Hope Station.

It was a much-anticipated experience. In the days prior to the event, the students had researched their subjects, developed questions and learned proper interview etiquette, such as positive body language, eye contact and good grooming. And there were butterflies galore.

“A lot of them dressed up on the day of the interview,” said Kim Poolman, a reading specialist at Bellaire who works with ESL students, who helped students prepare for the big day. “Some boys wore ties. The night before, I saw another girl and her mother in a local store buying a new shirt for her to wear. She was very excited about it. They all were.”

Improving lives
When they asked President Durden about Dickinson, the students learned not only about the college's strong academics and small class sizes, but also about Dickinson's commitment to sustainability and community service.

This commitment is demonstrated often in the local schools. Dickinson students and student groups volunteer in elementary schools and school programs. The Trout Gallery presents educational summer programs to young students and offers special school-year programs to local high schoolers. And Dickinson's many cultural and athletics events enrich local families' lives.

Student Stephen Hume demonstrated that he understood Dickinson's stance on engaged citizenship when he summarized President Durden’s interview for a school report. "Dr. Durden ...  says that Dickinson College is very concerned about the environment and the outside world," the fifth-grader wrote. “Dr. Durden declares that volunteering is a personal responsibility. He also says that volunteering is part of us, and it is the definition of democracy and the definition of being in America."

A personal touch
Kim Poolman says that the event yielded not only a valuable lesson, but a sense of accomplishment, as well. “The kids did a fabulous job; they felt very pleased,” she explained. “It was a very positive experience for everybody.”

Afterward, the students submitted interview summaries to a newly formed school newspaper and created thank-you cards for the interview subjects. Hume and classmates Paul Imman and Eli Jones added a jaunty touch to their note when they wrote to President Durden, "It was very fun having you here and being able to meet you. Keep up your great bow-tie collection."