Bonner program fosters support for students and strong link

Program provides a full work-study award to students working in the community

She was worried about the charges. And with good reason. If a change was not made, the cost of returning to Oberlin next year would be to much to bear.

The bill was way too high, way too far from the estimate. "Oh my gosh, this can't be right," first-year student Seson Taylor said.

Then her advocate with the financial aid office came to the rescue. Mark Blackman OC'89 strolled down to the financial aid office and chatted with Associate Director Brian Lindeman. And now, Taylor plans to be back in Oberlin next fall.

She is a one of 19 Bonner Scholars in the class of 2001 and 58 in total, who have come to know Blackman, Director of the Bonner Scholars program out of the Center for Service and Learning.

"He is a resource, father and friend," Taylor said. "He asks me, 'How are you doing? You aren't too stressed?' And I ask him, 'Where should I go for this?' If he can't tell me, he will direct me to someone."

Blackman directs the Bonner Scholar program. The program provides a full work-study award to students who complete 10 hours of community service per week during the school year. He said the main objective of his job is to support students of color, first-generation or low income. "I have made myself available to students who just needed some counseling or support, to help them navigate the waters of Oberlin. I'm their advocate in financial aid, and help them find support on campus," he said.

According to College President Nancy Dye, the African-American Student Retention Survey, conducted in Spring 1997, established that students who involve themselves in community service are more likely to graduate than other students.

The three-year old Center for Service and Learning links students with community organizations and guides students to winter term and summer projects. These projects may help students find reasons beyond Oberlin's campus to finish their course of study.

First-year Bonner Scholar Oshon Temple alluded to the importance of community service in making Oberlin his home. "I live here, I work here, and I don't want to get wrapped up solely in Oberlin the campus. Oberlin is a city. Sometimes you hear students, and me as well, joke about being in the boonies. Nevertheless, Oberlin is the real world in any sense. People here are going through problems that are just as real as any person's problems anywhere else."

Bonner Scholars share their experiences outside of Oberlin with each other. Taylor said she would be lost without the resource of individuals of the Bonner Scholar program. "Oh my gosh, I would not know what to do," she said. "I would be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I've benefited a great deal from other people. As for other students? I don't know."

Other students must turn elsewhere to get support. Blackman said his reputation for helping students is spreading. Students who are not Bonner Scholars often come to see him. "I see about three students a day," he said.