The 25th Annual Jon C. Dalton Institute on College Student Values took place February 5-7, 2015 and closed with keynote remarks from Campus Compact president Andrew J. Seligsohn. With 200 people in attendance, Seligsohndelivered his remarks entitled, “Exemplary Action: University Engagement and Student Development,” which focused on institutional commitment to civic engagement and the effect it has on students.  Seligsohn’s address asked whether universities  serve as role models for their students, committing themselves to social responsibility before asking that of their students?”

Drawing on the history of theories of ethical development and recent data from the Personal and Social Responsibility Inventory, Seligsohn argued that “Students become more ethical and socially responsible when they see ethical and socially responsible action from their universities. Student civic learning must be embedded in institutional partnerships that manifestly seek to achieve real and lasting change. If it is not, we are failing not only to advance change but also to educate our students in the ways we promise.”

The Dalton Institute is an annual gathering of faculty, staff, students, and administrators who are dedicated to preparing students for lives full of civic engagement.  The theme of this year’s Institute was “Widening Inequalities: Educating Students to Be Fair and Equitable in the World They Will Lead” and examined the role of higher education and student affairs in promoting the values of fairness and equity in the intellectual and ethical development of college students. Other speakers included:

• Alexander W. Astin, Ph.D., Allan M. Cartter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Higher Education, Founding Director of the Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA

• Shaun R. Harper Ph.D., Executive Director of Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education, University of Pennsylvania

• Will Barratt, Ph.D., Coffman Distinguished Professor, Indiana State University

• Clare Cady, Director of the Human Services Resource Center, Oregon State University

You can read more about Dr. Seligsohn’s remarks on his Public Purpose blog.

You can also read a special interview with Dr. Seligsohn in Character Clearinghouse.