The Vernon L. Pack Fellowship at Otterbein University
Center for Community Engagement
DUE: Monday April 4, 2016
Background:
The Vernon L. Pack Fellowship at Otterbein University celebrates civic leadership, community
service, and action-based research by Otterbein students. Each spring, fellows are announced at
the CCE Celebration of Service (April 13, 2016) and will receive funding to pursue a project of
their own design. Recipients will receive financial support to undertake a community engagement
project or community research initiative to strengthen our local community. These projects will be
carried out over the summer or during the academic year with one of the University’s community
partners and will result in a capacity-building effort that enhances the mission of the University,
integrates our educational curriculum, and has a significant impact on our community partners.
Projects:
Student projects should be grounded in specific theoretical and methodological models pertinent
to their academic program of study. All disciplinary perspectives, as well as interdisciplinary
lenses are encouraged. Projects should be designed to meet a specific community-identified
need and must be informed and supported by a faculty advisor. The following are examples of
possible Pack Fellow Projects (please note: these are to serve only as examples, there are many
other possibilities):
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Research on client satisfaction for a non-profit agency.
Narrative analysis of student essays on citizenship at a local elementary school.
Development of an online survey to assess the needs of community residents for a local
agency.
Creation of an innovative curriculum for use at an after-school mentoring program.
Coordinating a local event for community partners to raise awareness or serve a specific
community constituency.
A water quality assessment for a government agency.
Student Learning Objectives:
In accordance with the goals of the CCE, student projects or research must be developed to meet
any or several of the following student learning objectives:
 To articulate and act on an appreciation of diversity.
 To demonstrate leadership.
 To exhibit cross-cultural communication and advocacy skills.
 To demonstrate civic and social responsibility toward one’s community.
 To understand the root causes of social problems and the complexities of systemic
oppression.
 To understand personal efficacy and act as an ally to others, a capacity-builder, and a
change agent.
 To apply problem-solving skills to community problems.
The Pack Society of Fellows: Pack Fellows will participate throughout the year in a community
of practice with other fellows, faculty, and Otterbein staff. Together we will create a space for
shared intellectual thought, reflection, and assessment of our work. We will serve together in a
voluntary community that focuses on creating an environment for accomplished and emerging
scholars alike to engage in discussions about research methodologies, academic scholarship,
and community engagement. Pack Fellow Alumni will be encouraged to participate in future
meetings, gatherings, and celebrations.
Expectations of Pack Fellows: We encourage our fellows to fully participate in all society
activities to promote deeper learning and peer collegiality. To promote a successful community of
practice, student fellows make the following obligations:
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Attend the Celebration of Service (April 13, 2016) to receive your award from Mr. Pack
Attend semester society meetings with students, faculty, and staff
Schedule a meeting with the CCE to review project budget
Attend a spring semester meeting with Vernon L. Pack
Present research findings to an Otterbein class
Present a research poster at the annual Celebration of Service in the Spring of 2016
Write a 500 word reflective essay about the research project and your participation in the
Pack Society and submit it for the FIVE CARDS.
Faculty Fellows: Faculty members will help craft this collaborative experience of transitional
learning each year in their role as Faculty Fellows in the program. Their stewardship, through
regular meetings and gatherings, helps to foster the relationship between community service and
intellectual thought. Each student must work with a faculty fellow to create a proposal that reflects
both their academic journey and their commitment to our local community. Faculty Fellows must
make a commitment to advise the student along the research pathway and agree to attend
semester meetings of the society.
Community Partners: Students should work with the CCE and their faculty fellow to identify a
community partner who will sponsor their work. Students are encouraged to work with current
Otterbein core partners, but are also permitted to work with their department and/or the CCE to
develop new long-term sustainable partners in the local community.
Budget: In the spring of 2016 the CCE will award $1000 fellowships to students for summer
and/or academic year research. The Pack Fellowship award may provide a stipend for the
student and support to meet project expenses, including travel to conferences or meetings,
purchase of books and acquisition of software and/or research equipment. The budget may also
include supplies for projects at the community service site.
Eligibility: All freshmen, sophomores and juniors who will be on campus for the entire academic
year during participation are eligible for the Pack Fellowship. Students who have applied in
previous years are welcome to submit applications for the same or a different proposal to the
program. Previous applications have no bearing on the candidacy of a current applicant. United
States citizenship is not a determinant of eligibility. Preference will be given to students who have
made a commitment to community service while at Otterbein.
Academic Standing: The Pack Fellowship does not employ a baseline standard of academic
achievement to determine eligibility. All students who will return to Otterbein for at least one full
academic year, regardless of academic performance or standing, are welcome to submit
applications.
Joint Proposals: In order to fulfill the objective of recognizing and rewarding exceptional
students based on individual accomplishment and merit, the Pack Fellowship will not accept joint
proposals.
Application Timeline:
March 7, 2016
Request for Proposals
March 2016
Faculty sponsor and student develop proposal (student to
secure two Letters of Support for submission)
April 4, 2016
Proposal Deadline: 5:00 P.M.
E-mail to cce@otterbein.edu
April 10, 2016
Decisions shared with awardees
April 13, 2016
Celebration of Service: 7:00 P.M. Campus Center
(Please save this date so you may join us for the Awards
Ceremony)
Please email Dr. Melissa Gilbert (mgilbert@otterbein.edu), Associate Dean and Director of the
Center for Community Engagement, with any questions you might have concerning your
proposal.
Vernon Pack Fellowship
COVER SHEET
Deadline: Monday Aprii 4, 2016
Applicant’s name:
Campus Box/Address:
Phone (s):
Year of Graduation:
Home Address:
E-mail address:
Major:
Community Partner Agency:
Partner Contact:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail
Faculty Sponsor:
Department:
Phone:
E-mail:
Check List:
A completed application must include the following:
Part One:
o Application Cover Sheet (this page)
Part Two: Narrative
o Abstract
o Personal Statement
o Project Description
o Timeline
o Budget
o Resume
Part Three:
o Letter from faculty/staff Advisor
o Letter from Community Partner.
APPLICATIONS should be emailed as one Word Document attachment (or PDF) directly to:
cce@otterbein.edu
by 5:00pm on Monday, April 4, 2016
IMPORTANT: Please write “Pack Application” in the subject line of your email
PART TWO: NARRATIVE
Applications must be written in 12 pt font with one inch margins and double-spacing.
A complete application will include the following:
I. Title and Abstract (100 words)
Briefly describe the project you wish to undertake.
(*Note: If your project requires the use of human subjects, you must get IRB approval).
II. Personal Statement (2 pages)
We seek fellows who are passionate and reflective about community service, social change, and social justice. Preference
will be given to students who have made a commitment to community service while at Otterbein.
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Describe at least one community issue you have worked on during your time at Otterbein. What was the issue?
What was your role? With whom did you work? What did you do?
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Describe how your thoughts and approach to community service has changed over time.
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Review the learning objectives outlined in the background section. How will your involvement in this project enhance
one or more of these learning outcomes?
III. Project Description (3-4 pages—Please include headings, as indicated below)
Significance:
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The importance of your project for the community/world and how it is different from previous research or other
community projects.
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What community-identified need will you address in your work?
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What theoretical or methodological model will inform your work? Include specific examples and formal citations from
scholarly literature linked to your references.
Goals and Objectives:
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Specifically what are your goals and objectives for the project?
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What activities will you undertake to reach these goals?
Location:
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Where will the project take place? Why is it important to do work in this area?
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Who is your community partner? What is their mission? How does your work enhance their mission?
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What are the challenges of working in this area or with this population?
Current Qualifications:
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Please discuss the skills and knowledge you currently possess that make you an appropriate candidate to carry out
this project.
Faculty Fellow:
 What interests do you and your faculty fellow share that will assist in the planning and implementation of your project?
Bibliography:
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Include a list of references of scholarly literature used to inform your research in bibliographic format.
IV. Timeline (1 page)
Identify the major parts of your work, a clear start and end date for the project, and major milestones (and corresponding
dates) for project administration.
V. Budget (1 page)
Describe in detail how you will use the funds you are requesting. The maximum request in 2015 is $1000. Funds may be
used for a stipend, travel expenses, meeting registrations, and other project expenses.
VI. Resume (1 page)
VII. Letters of Support (2)
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Applicants must submit one letter of support from an Otterbein Faculty or Staff Advisor that provides:1) a
recommendation of the student, 2) support for the project, and 3) a commitment to participate in quarterly society
meetings.
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An additional letter of support from a Community Partner.
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Letters should be emailed directly to cce@otterbein.edu. They should accompany your proposal, or they may be
emailed directly by the faculty or community member by the deadline.