In a freshman seminar that teaches the dynamics of American philanthropy, students don’t just learn about the act of giving — they also become givers.
Assistant Professor Renee Irvin created the class, American Philanthropy: The Science and Practice of Giving Away Money, on a trial basis during the 2002-03 school year. She said its success led her to teach the class again this year.
“We’re one of the first universities with a well-developed curriculum in the non-profit industry,” Irvin said.
The seminar concentrates on the history and practice of philanthropy, and students research local non-profits throughout the term. Near the end of the term, the class donates $5,000 to a non-profit of its choice. The money is initially donated by Wells Fargo bank.
“This idea actually not only provides (students) with some skills but benefits a non-profit,” Irvin said.
Freshman Jacquelien Mansker said she took the class this term because she was interested in learning why people decide to give.
“The psychology of giving is the most interesting thing we’ve learned so far,” she said.
She added that the class is an innovative concept, and that philanthropy is something people should know more about.
“I don’t think people realize what a huge part of society it is,” she said.
Wells Fargo Vice President and Manager of Private Client Services David Frosaker said the bank donates money to numerous non-profits each year. He said he saw the class as an opportunity to teach students about corporate philanthropy.
“Wells Fargo has a strong belief in giving back to the communities in which we do business,” he said, adding that the bank donated about $1.6 million to non-profits in Oregon last year.
“I just think it’s important to be exposed to philanthropy from an early age,” he said.
He said he visited the class last year to talk about the importance of philanthropy. Even though he was asked to cast his vote in the final decision for a non-profit winner, he chose not to participate.
“It’s up to the students to make the determination,” he said.
Irvin said students spend the term researching the non-profits and evaluating their impact on the community, and at the end of the term they vote on the one they believe most deserves the money.
But Irvin said students learn that being a philanthropist isn’t as easy as it seems, because it can be difficult to decide on just one organization.
Last year, the class chose to split the money and gave $3,500 to the Start Making a Reader Today
organization and $1,500 to the Greenhill Humane Society.
Sophomore Kate Lenzser, who took the class last year, said the process of narrowing down organizations was a challenging task.
“You see the goals of all of them and you understand them,” she said. “It’s hard because ultimately you have to choose.”
She said in the end the money was donated to the organizations that
students felt would have a significant impact on the community.
“The money was wonderful,” SMART’s South Valley Area Manager Liz Degner said.
Degner said the money SMART received paid for 14 children to enter the program, which works with children in kindergarten through third grade who are struggling with reading.
She said she was impressed with the students in the class because they took their responsibilities seriously and researched the organizations thoroughly.
Degner said she believes the class connects students to their community.
Irvin agreed an important aspect of the class is helping students become more involved with the community.
“This is a class that sort of opens people up to other things that are out there,” she said.
Lenzser said getting out of the classroom and visiting the organizations made the seminar unique to the University.
“There are few other classes that give students such a hands-on experience,” she said.