Jamie Harrings named Newman Civic Fellow for service, leadership

2016 Apr 7

In just four short years, Wartburg College senior Jamie Harrings has either participated in or led seven service trips that have taken her across the country helping others. An eighth is already on the books for later this month.

It is that commitment to service that earned Harrings, a music education major from St. Anthony, a 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award presented by Campus Compact. She is one of only five honorees from Iowa colleges and universities.

Throughout my life, service has been a central focus. My parents continually demonstrated to me what it meant to be a selfless leader in the communities we lived," Harrings said. "They gave their time, energy and whatever we could offer to those around us. Through them I learned that I wanted to lead my life as a servant leader and be as selfless as they were."

In his nomination letter Wartburg President Darrel Colson also highlighted Harrings' work on the Service Trips executive board, where she has served as a fundraising coordinator, student director and adviser/alumni liaison.

"Jamie shows that, even as a student, she's already leading a model life of leadership and service through her work on campus and in the community," Colson wrote.

In addition to service trips in Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Oregon, Georgia and New York, Harrings also visited Baltimore for the Alternative Break Citizenship School through Break Away, a nonprofit focused on creating active citizens. While there, she worked on urban farms to better understand food insecurity. She also participated in trainings and workshops focused on facilitating alternative breaks.

Harrings also has served as a morale captain for Wartburg College Dance Marathon, was a student mentor for the High School Leadership Institute and is a member of the Habitat for Humanity and EARTH Club student organizations.

Upon graduation, Harrings hopes to become a band director in either Iowa or Colorado.

This award honors the late Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact's founders and a tireless advocate for the civic engagement of higher education. Students are nominated for the Campus Compact honor by institution presidents, and 218 students from across the country are being recognized this year. The national coalition brings together more than 1,100 college and university presidents committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility.