Miami Hamilton’s mission includes community service

January 20, 2005

During his State of the Schools address, Executive Director Dr. Daniel Hall emphasized Miami Hamilton’s mission of community service, which sets the regional campus apart from other institutions of higher education.

Hall addressed a full house of Hamilton Rotary and Hamilton Chamber members during the annual Red Carpet Luncheon held Thursday, January 20, which also featured Hamilton City Schools Superintendent Janet Baker, Butler Tech’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Sommers and Badin High School Principal Frank Margello.

“Universities are distinguished from one another in many ways: public v. private; residential v. commuter...” he began. “Another distinguishing characteristic is fundamental mission. There are the great research institutions...and the outstanding liberal arts universities...and then the hundreds of metropolitan universities...where Miami Hamilton falls.”

As a metropolitan university, Miami Hamilton not only focuses on teaching and research, but also community service. During his speech Hall focused on four ways Miami Hamilton serves the region.

“First, academic programming is designed around our service theme,” he said. “While all three campuses of Miami University remain committed to a liberal arts education, at the regional campuses, we are also committed to connecting our programming to the practical needs of the individual in the workplace and the needs of business, industry, and government to have employees that are well educated and who are good citizens.”

The second way is by “bridging the expertise and resources of the campus with businesses, governments, and the community at large.” Hall listed several examples of this including the “Michael J. Colligan History Project, funded by The Hamilton Community Foundation, which brings nationally recognized historians to the community through an ambitious schedule of events.”

The third way Miami Hamilton serves the community is through “enhancing the intellectual and cultural life of the community. He listed numerous national speakers who lectured on the campus free of charge to the community and highlighted the Racial Legacies Town Meetings. “A series that delves into the very difficult subject of racism.” He also mentioned the Miami Hamilton Artist series, which brings an eclectic mix of musicians to campus. “Soon, thanks to the generous gift of the Fitton Family, we will have a botanical conservatory to share with the entire community,” he added.

The fourth way Miami Hamilton serves the community is through the volunteer efforts of staff and faculty.

“At research institutions, the emphasis is placed on research. Hence, the commonly known phrase, ‘publish or perish.’ However, for faculty at Miami’s regional campuses, while scholarship is expected, teaching and service are emphasized,” he said. “We have mental health experts serving mental health agencies, business professors consulting local businesses, statisticians assisting local agencies and research, and so on.”

Hall closed his speech with a homework assignment for the audience. “This fall, Miami University’s First in 2009 Coordinating Council created a task force to study issues facing our regional campuses.”

The task force is charged with identifying the most important issues facing the regional campuses, considering the most appropriate relationships among the three campuses and determining the strategic programmatic directions for the regional campuses.

“Public input is not only welcome, but needed.” He asked the audience to fill out a questionnaire and or contact Miami Hamilton. A community forum is scheduled for Monday, January 24, at 3pm and at 5pm in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on campus.