On January 15, 2009, the Center for Civic Engagement and Drexel Felllowships Office welcomed representatives from several post-graduation volunteer programs. The panel consisted of recruiters for Philly Fellows, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and City Year.

On November 8, 2008, the Center for Civic Engagement, in collaboration with PHENND (Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development) and Campus Philly, hosted the Second Annual Student Service Leaders Conference. This forum for students in the Greater Philadelphia region sought to bring together students, non-profit professionals and community organizers to share passionate ideas and practical skills. The keynote speaker was Paul Glover, author of Green Jobs Philly, as well as a well-known activist and environmentalist. The conference was well attended by students from area universities.

On October 15, 2008, the Center for Civic Engagement, in partnership with the Committee of Seventy, hosted a Presidential Proxy Debate between Philadelphia area politicians representing the Democratic and Republican nominees for President in Mitchell Auditorium in Bossone Enterprise Center. This event was a chance for Drexel students to submit questions for discussion by these two local politicians about important issues facing young people and the future direction of our nation. It was moderated by Justin Bradley, a Drexel Community Scholar and Committee of Seventy intern, and was attended at full capacity. Following the proxy debate, students could stay and watch the actual presidential candidates debate on a large projection screen.

On September 29th, 2008, the Center for Civic Engagement, in collaboration with Drexel VOTES 2008, presented the Your Voice Has Never Been Louder Voter Registration Rally and Volunteer Fair. Students held an open mic to express their political voice. Over 20 partners of the CCE hosted tables to recruit volunteers for everything from educational support to environmental service projects. For more information about past events, visit www.drexel.edu/vote2008

Each year in January, the Center for Civic Engagement celebrates the birth of the civil rights hero, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by organizing a day of service and reflection. In 2008, the CCE held a campus-wide coat and blanket drive to collect these items for homeless shelters and charities throughout the city. Drexel University collected more than 150 coats and blankets. These were delivered to shelters in West Philadelphia, Kensington, and North Philadelphia. In 2009, the CCE will again host a coat and blanket drive in collaboration with Global Citizen, MLK365, and their partners.

Help us plan our next event. Contact Seth Jacobson at saj33@drexel.edu.