Service Inquiry Program participants selected;
Eight Goshen College students to consider call to service

GOSHEN, Ind. – Eight Goshen College students will spend their summer with a faith-based service organization through the college’s Service Inquiry Program (SIP).

The summer 2006 group of Goshen College SIP participants include:

Kristine Bowman, a junior English major from Millersburg, Ind., will be serving in Benin, West Africa. Bowman is the daughter of Murray and Helen Bowman. She graduated from Bethany Christian High School in 2003 and attends Waterford Mennonite Church.

Dominique Burgunder-Johnson, a senior peace, justice and conflict studies major from Vilseck, Germany, will spend her summer at the Military Council Network in Germany. Burgunder-Johnson is the daughter of Sylvia Burgunder-Johnson of Vilseck, Germany, and Ronald Johnson of Beavercreek, Ohio. She graduated from Vilseck American High School in 2002.

Dara Joy Jaworowicz, a first-year music major from Kentwood, Mich., will be serving in Kentucky with Sharing with Appalachian People (SWAP). Jaworowicz, the daughter of Steven and Susan Jaworowicz is a 2005 graduate of City High School.

Hannah Johnson, a first-year psychology major from Harrisonburg, Va., will spend her summer at Mennonite Central Committee’s office in Washington, D.C. Johnson is the daughter of Timothy and Kim Johnson. She is a 2005 graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School and attends Community Mennonite Church.

Daniel Merkt Blatz, a first-year physics major from San Antonio, Texas, will be serving with Discovering Outreach and Opportunity for Reflection (DOOR) in San Antonio, Texas. Merkt Blatz is the son of John Blatz and Stacey Merkt. He graduated from the International School of the Americas in 2005 and attends San Antonio Mennonite Church.

Hilary Watson, a first-year Bible and religion major from Seattle, Wash., will spend her summer with Discovering Outreach and Opportunity for Reflection (DOOR) in Chicago, Ill. Watson is the daughter of Jill Watson and a 2005 graduate of Roosevelt High School. She attends Seattle Mennonite Church.

Sarah Wilson, a junior Spanish major from White Heath, Ill. will be serving with Sharing with Appalachian People (SWAP) in Kentucky. She is the daughter of Rick and Ann Wilson. Wilson is a 2004 graduate of Monticello High School.

Matthew Yoder, a sophomore communication major from Lancaster, Pa., will be serving in Denver, Colo. with Discovering Outreach and Opportunity for Reflection (DOOR). Yoder is the son of Dave and Jane Yoder. He graduated from Hempfield High School in 2005 and attends Landisville Mennonite Church.

Participants in SIP engage in direct, meaningful service for others while testing their fit for future long-term service. Students applied for service assignments and were then matched with opportunities available with church agencies.

“Often you look at service projects but don’t see the whole program. SIP gives students the chance to serve and also see the administration behind the projects, learning from both at the same time,” said Jason Harrison, assistant campus pastor and coordinator of SIP.

At the end of the summer, each volunteer will receive a scholarship of up to $2,000 toward tuition costs for the next academic year. Lilly Endowment Inc. funds the scholarships, supplemented by contributions from the students’ home congregations and the agencies being served.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.