The Common Good

Volume II, Issue 4 Spring 2008

News from the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good
Lynn Fritz Receives USF’s First California Prize for Service and the Common Good
The University of San Francisco is pleased to announce that Lynn C. nel, objective performance metrics, and institutionalized
Fritz, a second-generation San Franciscan and founder of the Fritz learning across the humanitarian sector.
Institute, will receive the first California Prize for Service and the
Common Good. Fritz and the Institute work with private and non- Fritz’s commitment to humanitarian relief clearly embod-
profit organizations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of ies the core values of the University of San Francisco.
disaster relief services in the Bay Area and around the world. Fritz His work in the area of humanitarian assistance has em-
will be awarded a medal and a check for $10,000. phasized excellence and accountability while pursuing a
common good that transcends the interests of particular
A social entrepreneur, philanthropist, and businessperson, Fritz has individuals or groups. His institute promotes a culture of
taken his experience building a successful company and applied it to service that respects and promotes the dignity of every
the area of humanitarian relief. The result has been an institute that person.
seeks to develop and share the most effective practices in response to
large-scale disasters, improving the distribution of aid to victims in For more information on USF’s California Prize or Lynn
need. Fritz, visit www.californiaserviceprize.org.

Recognized as a leader in the global logistics industry, Fritz was the

chairman and CEO of Fritz Companies until May 2001 when it was
acquired by UPS. Under his stewardship, Fritz Companies were
transformed from a small domestic documentation company to a
global organization of 10,000 employees in 120 countries. The com-
pany achieved Fortune 1000 ranking in 1997. His tenure contrib-
uted to a redefining of what had been a fragmented and limited ser-
vices industry.

Rather than retiring on his corporate success, Fritz continues to

bring his leadership, experience, and philanthropy to contribute to
humanitarian relief. The Fritz Institute was founded on the belief
that effective front-line humanitarian operations must be supported
by strong back-room capabilities: effective operational processes, ap-
propriate uses of enabling technologies, well-trained logistics person- USF’s California Prize winner Lynn C. Fritz.

Students Stay Informed at Election Watch

On Super Tuesday, February 5, the McCarthy Cen-
ter and the USF Politics Society hosted Election
Watch 2008. More than 50 students came to the
Crossroads Café at USF to enjoy pizza and snacks
and watch the results of the primary election un-
fold. The Center will hold another Election Watch
in time for the general election in November.

Clockwise from left: Students vote in the coffee bean

poll, a politics society student records election re-
sults by state, KQED interviews a student, faculty
and students watch results come in.

Service-Learning
by the Numbers
Each year as part of new student orientation at USF, the
Office of Service-Learning and Community Action coordi-
nates Service-Learning Preview Day. This event offers
students and alumni the chance to learn more about ser-
vice-learning through presentations and off-campus tours
of service-learning partner organizations.
Border Angel Visits USF
On February 26, Enrique Morones vis- Studies in the Americas, the
ited USF to speak to students about his Latin American Studies pro-
experiences working for immigration gram, and the USF Center for
reform. Morones is the founder of Bor- the Pacific Rim.
der Angels, a non-profit organization
that works to stop the unnecessary
deaths of individuals traveling in and
around the U.S.-Mexico border. He has

88 appeared on numerous news broadcasts

Percentage of students who agreed that orientation
helped them understand the importance of participat-
ing in off-campus service opportunities.
“The Service-Learning Preview provided me with a better under-
standing of the importance of community service in a more personal
and meaningful manner.” -USF incoming freshman
and lectured widely on the issues of im-
migration, migration, and human rights.
The event was sponsored by the
McCarthy Center, the Center for Latino
Enrique Morones.
My Experience as an ACE
By Andrea Wise, Advocate for Community Engagement

As an Advocate for Community Engage-
ment (ACE), in the Office of Service-
Learning, I have gained professional
and personal development beyond what
I expected. As an ACE for the past
three years, I have served as a liaison
between a nonprofit organization and
service-learning professors and students
Students listen to Service-Learning
presentations. at USF. I speak with service-learning
professors, do recruitment presenta-
St. Vincent de Paul Society and their
classroom learning were interconnected.
I encouraged the students to think about
their perceptions of homelessness, and
we discussed how perceptions and facts
about the population may differ. The
students expressed that many of their
ideas and assumptions changed as a re-
sult of their service. Most importantly,
we discussed how the students could use

700 tions in classes, assist students with

Total number of students who participated in Service-
Learning Preview Day.
orientation at the nonprofit I represent,
and provide students with a service
project. I am on call to assist students
throughout the semester, and I host
their new knowledge of St. Vincent de
Paul’s clients in their future work as
businesspeople. I was pleased to play a
role in these students’ transformations.
Through the ACE program, I have also

14 reflection sessions to ensure that stu-

Number of service-learning partner organizations that
hosted students for their service.
On Service-Learning Preview Day
USF students sort food at Project
Open Hand.
dents make the connections between
had the unique opportunity to attend
multiple conferences around the country.
their course work and the service they The ACE role became more than a job
are doing at the organization. for me; it enriched my USF experience,
Professionally, I have gained more con- allowed me to gain leadership and profes-
fidence in my public speaking, written sional skills, and taught me new ways to
communication, and conflict- serve others.
management skills. I have learned how
to communicate and collaborate with
students, professors, and employees and
clients of the nonprofit.
One of my proudest moments as an
ACE occurred when I was hosting a
reflection session with students in a
business class. We discussed ways in Andrea Wise (left) and fel-
low ACE Melanie Raygoza.
which the students’ service project for
2
http://mccarthycenter.usfca.edu
USF in D.C. Students Experience all the District has to Offer...and More
Each semester, the McCarthy Center’s USF in DC program sends students from a variety of disciplines to study at American Uni-
versity and to intern in Washington, D.C. Below, spring 2008 students share what they’ve enjoyed most about their experience.
Devon Davey (right) and her classmate pose
for a picture in the Senate building after meet-
ing with Senate foreign policy advisers.
Name: Devon Davey
Program: Foreign Policy
Internship: The Polaris Project, Operations and Manage-
ment Division
"What I love about D.C. is the diversity in people, organiza-
tions, and interests. All the opportunities I never dreamed of
are available here and with a strong will and determination, I
can really achieve my goals.”
Laura Aguirre (second from right) and her class-
mates take advantage of the opportunity to hear
Presidential candidate Barack Obama speak at
American University.
Name: Laura Aguirre
Program: Int’l Environment and Development
Internship: The Polaris Project, National Human Traffick-
ing Resource Center
“What I love most about D.C. is the multitude of opportuni-
ties at my fingertips, the different neighborhoods, the great
public transportation system, and the mix of people! It's great
being on the East Coast and meeting so many people from
across the nation and internationally!”
3
William Mohring (middle) and fellow stu-
dents visit the Library of Congress.
Name: William Mohring
Program: American Politics
Internship: Twenty-first Century Democrats
“One of the best things about the program is engaging the guest
speakers who talk to us about the latest policy decisions we
read about in the newspapers. The speakers have affirmed my
commitment to serve others in that same capacity."
Kimberly Steffen (far right) and her
Washington semester classmates at the
Capitol.
Name: Kimberly Steffen
Program: Foreign Policy
Internship: Bennett Group Financial Services
“One of my favorite parts of the Washington semester program
has been the people. Here, you meet plenty of students who are
genuinely interested in what they are studying. I’ve learned so
much from their different experiences and opinions.”
http://mccarthycenter.usfca.edu
 News and Notes
The McCarthy Center is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous gift from
the Marineau Family Foundation. The grant will support students from the Archi-
tecture and Community Design program to travel to Leon, Mexico this summer as
part of a service-learning course. While there, they will partner with the stu-
dents from the Jesuit university, Ibero Americano to design and build housing for
UNIVERSITY OF marginalized communities.
SAN FRANCISCO
USF was recently named to the President's Higher Education Community Ser-
vice Honor Roll with Distinction for the second year in a row. This honor from the
Editor: highest level of government recognizes USF’s leadership in helping to build a
Angela Mucci culture of service and civic engagement on campuses and in our nation.
Phone:
415-422-5662 The McCarthy Center is pleased to welcome visiting scholar Carina Liungwald.
Fax:
Liungwald is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Social Work at Stock-
415-422-5641 holm University. In addition to working on her dissertation, she is teaching
"Public Policy: Poverty and Social Welfare" this semester.
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
mccarthycenter.usfca.edu

Send comments to:

mccarthycenter@usfca.edu
FOR THE MCCARTHY CENTER GRADUATION CELEBRATION!
“Educating
minds and hearts FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2008, 5:00-6:30PM
to change the world”

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO, LONE MOUNTAIN, ROOM 100

Leo T. McCarthy Center for

Public Service and the Common Good
2130 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117-1080