May 25, 2001

SMU STUDENTS SELECTED FOR SUMMER PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIPS

DALLAS (SMU) -- Twelve Southern Methodist University students have been selected for the Maguire and Irby Family Public Service Intern Program sponsored by SMU's Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility.

Each spring the program awards stipends of between $1,600 and $2,000 to SMU students who want to spend part of their summer interning in a community service setting. Students gain experience in serving others that enhances their ethical awareness and brings to life ethical concepts taught in the classroom. The following is a list of this year's Maguire and Irby Family Public Service interns and a brief description of their summer projects:

• Marié Anderson, a sophomore majoring in psychology and general business, plans to work with the Interfaith Housing Coalition in Dallas assisting homeless families to find jobs and permanent housing.
• Cece Cox, a first-year student in SMU's Dedman School of Law, will work with the Dallas Legal Hospice interviewing clients and researching and drafting legal documents such as wills and trusts.
• Joanne M. Davis, a student in SMU's Perkins School of Theology, plans to work with the Family Pathfinders Program at the Wilkinson Center, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, helping families move from welfare to work.
• Derrick Gordon, a sophomore majoring in dance performance, will teach dance to children at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas Inc.
• Ryan Jenkins, a first-year student majoring in electrical engineering and mathematics, will help school districts incorporate engineering and advanced technology into their high school curriculum. The SMU program is called the Infinity Project and is the first in the country designed to help students understand the real-world relevance of engineering, science and math and to expose them to high-tech career opportunities.
• Susan M. Knipe, a student in SMU's Perkins School of Theology, plans to work in Dallas with the Neighborhood Ministry Program of St. Paul United Methodist Church coordinating a summer day-care program.
• Cyndy Lutz, a Master of Liberal Arts student, will help the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity compile research and develop strategies for reaching under-represented groups.
• Melinda L. McGehee, a first-year student in SMU's Dedman School of Law, plans to work for Catholic Charities of Dallas Inc. helping immigrants with legal aid.
• Colin Paterson, a junior majoring in political science and philosophy, plans to work with Catholic Charities of Dallas Inc. training refugee women in business and life skills and developing a manual to direct them to other social service agencies in Dallas.
• Dilnaz Ayesha Saleem, a sophomore majoring in business and psychology, will work with Genesis Women's Shelter assisting women in crisis and providing referrals and counseling.
• Heidi Wanichek, a junior majoring in finance, economics and Russian, will help the American Red Cross develop a national program for local governments and businesses to allow their employees time to volunteer in emergency relief efforts.
• Lesley Washington, a first-year student in SMU's Dedman School of Law, plans to spend the summer helping Kittico, a Dallas-based animal welfare organization.

The Maguire Center was established at SMU in 1995 with a $2.5 million gift from Dallas businessman Cary M. Maguire to nurture the university's commitment to the study of ethics. The center serves as a forum for the exploration of issues bearing on the public good and sponsors regular conferences that bring together people to discuss and reflect on important social issues. The center also supports faculty research, organizes faculty seminars and strengthens the ethics component of SMU's undergraduate and professional curriculum.