beautify the neighborhood in the hope of cutting down on crime and improving property values. Muslim, Jewish and Christian students came together in common purpose and, as one student said, discovered they were more alike than they thought. “Service is part of learning, of seeing what other people are like,” says Madeline Patterson ’12, a senior from the affluent Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, IN, and the recipient of the Stanley Joseph and Mertie Willigar Buckman Scholarship. Patterson, who has been involved in several volunteer projects, served an internship in Memphis City Hall and developed the One Memphis plan to connect nonprofits and guide volunteers to areas where they could have a lasting impact. Among the first things she learned is that “when governments cut back, nonprofits pick up.” By the time her internship ended Patterson realized everyone at City Hall was too busy to carry out the plan she created—so she is doing it herself as a volunteer. “My mom keeps asking why I’m still working there,” she says with a laugh. The second thing Patterson learned is that trying to organize volunteerism in Memphis is like trying to herd cats. “Memphis has more nonprofits than any other city its size,” she says, adding, “it became political so fast. Everyone is trying to make a difference, but often it can be their way or the highway.” She managed to navigate around some people’s skepticism to create
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WINTER 2012 • RHODES
Learning Through Real-World Service.indd 28
Liz Karolczuck ’14 at The MED
rhodes.edu
2/3/12 10:18 AM