Campus Leaders Set an Example
The Student Government Association at Winthrop University in South Carolina created "The Dedication for Excellence" to encourage citizenship
By Anna Marie Neri

     At Winthrop University in South Carolina, Student Government Association leaders don’t leave citizenship education up to faculty and administrators. In 1994, the group adopted "The Dedication for Excellence." "It incorporates six fundamental components, all emphasizing Winthrop’s commitment to cherishing the gifts of people of both genders, all races, religions, and ethnic origins," says Mamie Bush, 99-00 SGA president. "The SGA keeps the tenets of the Dedication for Excellence at the core of our organization as we continue to stay focused on being a credible, dependable, student-centered organization."
     Each year, SGA prints posters to promote the philosophy. The flyers state:

     As a member of the Winthrop community, I agree to dedicate myself to the pursuit of intellectual, cultural, personal, and social growth.
     To show commitment to future excellence and achievement at Winthrop University, I affirm the following:

• Freedom of Speech—I will respect the rights of others to express themselves as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
• Academic Integrity—I will dedicate myself to the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and truth.
• A Diverse Cultural Environment—I will respect the integrity of each person and value individuals for the creations, achievements, and contributions with which each enriches our community.
• Personal Responsibility—I will assume full responsibility for myself in all respects…my actions, thoughts, personal growth, and development.
• Social Responsibility—I will contribute to the university community and leave Winthrop a better place for having been here.
• Consideration of Others—I will demonstrate a concern for the welfare and rights of others, and I will respect the dignity of all persons.

     "The Dedication for Excellence challenges our students while setting an example for them on what we expect Winthrop students to be," says Alicia Marstall, student development coordinator. "Our SGA senators take this very seriously and support it thoroughly. They’re really good ambassadors of what the Dedication for Excellence stands for." Winthrop’s SGA also created a training program for upcoming freshmen leaders in which students serve as administrative assistants, attending meetings and shadowing current officers.
     SGA’s effort to embrace the Dedication for Excellence earned recognition for Winthrop University in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development.

For more information call Dean of Students Rodney Bennett at (803) 323-4503.

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