Student Government Hosts Community Summit: 'Beyond Leadership: Transforming Leaders Into Lifelong Servants'

Contact: Ashley Lintelman, Office of Press Secretary of Student Government, (214) 458-5310

To help students "go beyond the norm," while strengthening ties between the Baylor University and the city of Waco, Student Body External Vice President Allan Marshall will host a community summit called "Beyond Leadership: Transforming Leaders Into Lifelong Servants" from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, in Barfield Drawing Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center.

The summit will bring together Baylor students, faculty, staff, administrators and Waco leaders to discuss meaningful community involvement and further bolster the relationship between Baylor and Waco. Summit participants will include Baylor President John M. Lilley, Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy, Waco City Manager Larry Groth, Waco ISD Superintendent Roland Hernandez, Elizabeth Smith of the Cooper Foundation, and representatives from local chambers of commerce.

"I believe that Baylor students must go beyond the norm. We must think outside the Baylor bubble, and we must go beyond ourselves, our titles and our luxuries to impact the Waco community," said Marshall, a senior political science major from Cuney, Texas. "In order to truly impact the lives of those around us we must begin to know them on a deeper level. We must wash others' feet with good and meaningful experiences, and we must be intentional in serving others in the community."

The summit will consist of sections on two distinct topics: 1) meaningful community involvement and 2) a community strengthened by a mutual relationship.

The first section from 4 to 5:30 p.m. will empower student leaders, service chairs of student organizations, and student service organizations to serve and find community service opportunities for their respective members. It will include a discussion about how Baylor students can actively participate in the Waco area, with service initiatives from various groups in Waco.

The second part of the summit from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. will center on the relationship between Baylor and Waco. Community leaders will discuss the Waco Community Visioning Project, as well as ways Baylor students can engage themselves in this process.

"While the summit will provide opportunities to change the community, it can only serve as a beginning point," Marshall said. "We will establish a community involvement council to continue the dialogue of meaningful community involvement and strengthening the relationship between Baylor and Waco."

When asked what he hoped students would gain from the summit, Marshall said, "I hope students come away with a true passion and conviction to serve others in their community."