Thank you for your interest in the work of the Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service. Welcome.

In the mid-1980s, college students were characterized as the "Me Generation," interested largely in personal comfort and status. Brown University President Howard Swearer took exception to this label, witnessing the commitment of Brown students to address societal concerns. Nonetheless, he felt that universities had to do more to establish a firm institutional commitment to public service and strengthen the linkages between community engagement and the academic work of the university. In 1986, President Swearer established the Center for Public Service at Brown.

Public service is part and parcel of what Brown is. The Brown curriculum itself reflects this orientation, through its language of empathy and moral convictions: this work is not "extra-curricular" but central to a Brown education. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff possess an outward-facing orientation, interested in what their knowledge, abilities, and values mean in light of the pressing challenges all around us.

Public service is part and parcel of what Brown is.

-Roger Nozaki

Over the past 20 years, the Center for Public Service has partnered with dozens of organizations and supported countless hours of public service. But perhaps the Center's most enduring contribution has been to play some role in the lives of the thousands of students who have participated in its programs. This site presents just a snapshot of the range of work done by the students with whom we have been privileged to work. We hope you will join with us in celebrating their considerable accomplishments.

Over the past year, the Swearer Center has clarified its mission, defined the principles guiding our efforts, and outlined strategies to move forward. We seek to have a greater impact on fundamental inequalities, engage a broader range of resources, and continually strengthen our capacity as educators. Much more needs to be done. We hope you will join with us as we move forward into our next 20 years.

Thank you for your partnership.

Roger Nozaki
Director, Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service
Associate Dean of the College
Brown University