Business works to turn dreams into action

Little did poet William Blake know that the title of his poem, "The Echoing Green" would one day become the name of a national public service foundation dedicated to supporting young people pursue their dreams. Echoing Green is a private New York-based foundation intended to provide monetary, technical and emotional support to social entrepreneurs with innovative public service ideas, according to Ariane Hoi, Foundation Undergraduate Fellowship Coordinator. Hoi emphasized that Echoing Green is committed to giving young adults an opportunity to turn their dreams into action. The organization held a presentation last night in Houston Hall to inform interested seniors about the application procedure. Only five students attended the meeting. At the event, current Echoing Green Fellow and 1995 College graduate Nicole Wagenberg described her experiences as the first University student to be awarded the fellowship. She was one of the 25 students selected from 140 applicants. Wagenberg's project involves working with two University City High School teachers in developing an interdisciplinary curriculum incorporating oral history and photography. "The kids are really enthusiastic about the photography," Wagenberg said. "It's been really successful." Fellows are awarded up to $15,000 for one year of domestic or international public service. The five-year-old foundation has funded a diverse group of projects ranging from a focus on the environment to art to domestic violence. Each year a certain number of schools are invited to participate in the fellowship. This year 54 schools hold that privilege. Graduating seniors and recent alumni are eligible to apply. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal and course of action for a public service project. Winners are selected on the basis of enthusiasm, commitment and talent. This year marks Penn's third year in the program, according to Director of the Program for Student-Community Involvement David Grossman. Grossman is also the campus coordinator for the fellowship. His responsibilities include publicizing the program, mentoring University applicants and supplying Echoing Green with a detailed analysis of each applicant. College senior Tamzin Cheshire, who attended the meeting, said she decided to apply for the fellowship a year ago when she helped Wagenberg with her proposal. Cheshire, who lives in the Castle, is interested in creating a program where students from all over the world could come to Philadelphia to study. Grossman said he was excited about more students applying. "This is a very exciting program," he said. "There are too few programs which help bring innovative ideas to reality in such a short span of time. The application deadline for the Echoing Green Foundation is January 22.