Widener Joins Clinton Global Initiative University Network

Former President Bill Clinton has invited Widener University to join the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI University) Network, a growing consortium of colleges and universities that support, mentor, and provide seed funding to student leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Widener becomes one of only 24 colleges and universities nationwide to join the network, and the only institution in the five-county Philadelphia region.

As a member of the CGI University Network, Widener students are invited to develop a Commitment to Action, a new, specific and measurable plan that addresses an issue at Widener, in their local community or around the world. The plan must relate to one of five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, or public health.

"Widener University is committed to leadership development and civic engagement," said Widener President James T. Harris III, who spoke with President Clinton in October about the initiative. "The Clinton Global Initiative goes to the very heart of our mission at Widener and we are very excited to be selected as a member of the University Network."

Students apply to attend CGI University, which will be held this year April 5-7 at Washington University in St. Louis. At the meeting, students will hear from experts in the field, brainstorm ideas, share best practices, and form partnerships. Students then return to their campuses and communities to turn their ideas into actions, with the support of seed funding and mentorship from their universities.

Widener will provide a minimum to $10,000 in funding to be divided among the students selected to pursue their Commitments to Action. The university will also mentor student commitment-makers as they development and implement their plans. The $10,000 is from an endowment fund at the university to support student projects.

CGI University is President Clinton's initiative to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. Since its inaugural meeting in 2008, CGI U has brought together more than 4,500 students from more than 130 countries to make commitments to action.

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in becoming CGI U commitment-makers are asked to contact Dr. Suk-Chung Yoon, associate provost for experiential learning and global initiatives, at 610-499-4103 or e-mail syoon@widener.edu.

Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences and professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., serve approximately 6,500 students. Visit the university's website, www.widener.edu, for more information.

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) brings together college students to address global challenges with practical, innovative solutions. CGI U participants do more than simply discuss problems – they take concrete steps to solve them by creating action plans, building relationships, participating in hands-on workshops, and following up with CGI U as they complete their projects. Previous CGI U meetings have taken place at Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Miami, the University of California at San Diego, and the George Washington University, and have convened more than 4,500 students from nearly 750 schools, more than 130 countries, and all 50 states. To learn more, visit www.cgiu.org.

 

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