Author: Sarah Mofford
Students at Occidental College have many opportunities for research and grants, one of which is offered by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL), called The Values and Vocations grant. The Values and Vocations grant awards students up to $2,000 for independent study of the student’s choosing. This year, as the ORSL looks to new outlets and fundraising to sustain the grant, changes have been made to its application and funding processes.
According to the information page on the bulletin board in Lower Herrick, “Approved Projects will encourage the student’s intellectual, ethical, religious or spiritual, and vocational growth.” This growth starts with the application, which includes an interview and a written component. All proposals are due six to eight weeks before the intended program.
In 2003, Occidental was given a two million dollar grant by the Lily Endowment, a private philanthropic foundation that is devoted to the causes of religion, education and community development. Occidental College used the money to fund the Values and Vocations Project, which would allow students a chance to reflect on their own religious beliefs and how these beliefs affect their choices. The contribution founded the ORSL as well as many ORSL programs such as speakers and retreats.
However, when this first award expired, the Lily Endowment gave Oxy a three-year Sustainability Grant in 2008. “This grant is a grant to sustain programs while the college looks at fundraising to keep the office going,” said Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Rev. Susan Young. Because this second endowment is smaller, the limitations on applying for the Values and Vocations grant have increased. Now, students can only apply for the Values and Vocations grant once. However, the student applying does not need a religious affiliation, only a guarantee that the funding would go towards an increased awareness of spirituality, however the student defines it.
To apply, eligible students must describe what they are proposing to do, including dates of the program, locations and sponsoring organizations. They must also include an essay that describes their spiritual journey at Occidental and identify beliefs that they wish to explore further or challenge. Then students must give a budget of projected expenses, a letter of recommendation from the faculty member who is involved in the project and a description of the final project that will be produced at the end of the experience.
Students who receive the grant are required to create a reflective presentation of their trip to show to their peers. Although many students write reflective papers for this final project, Rev. Young encourages more interactive projects.
Sara Hooker (senior), who used the grant to travel to New Orleans over the summer, will curate an art show this spring featuring the artists and activists she met while in New Orleans for her final project.
Monica Guerrero (junior) used the money to go to Kenya for a month and work at both an orphanage and a school. For her final project, she wrote a journal about her daily experiences and what she learned about Kenyan culture, juxtaposing Kenya and American cultural values and norms. In an e-mail interview, Guerrero said, “I loved Kenya and would definitely do it again. The application is really simple and the amount they give you goes a long way so I would definitely recommend it to others.”
Hooker and Guerrero are not the only satisfied grant recipients. “Students are asked to complete surveys on their return,” said Rev. Young. “And some of the comments we get back are pretty amazing. I have not had one that said it was a terrible experience.” These surveys have shown Rev. Young that students have undergone a number of positive transformations. According to Young, students have spent more time thinking, writing or reflecting on their intellectual, moral, spiritual and religious values and beliefs. They also have a sharpened sense of vocational direction and have experienced a positive effect on their major area of study. Some are more comfortable engaging others in discussions about spirituality and their understanding of its role in their life.
Robert Riccardi (junior) received the Values and Vocations grant to go to Takoradi, Ghana for five weeks this past summer. While there, he helped his soccer coach Robert Sackey run an under-17 girls tournament. In an e-mail interview, Riccardi said, “I was very fortunate to get a chance to see the steps necessary in organizing the tournament, considering the very limited roles women have in Ghana.” He also volunteered time in an orphanage and used some of the grant money to make a donation to it. “I had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to travel,” said Riccardi.
Hooker agreed, “I think it [values and vocations grant] gives an incredible opportunity, one that gives [students] the chance to grow and learn and do things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”
Students who wish to apply for the grant should contact Rev. Susan Young at young@oxy.edu.
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