Dear Deerfield Alumni

by Joshua B. Binswanger '80

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Character,in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual, and nations alike." Frank Boyden's calling was to build the character of youth, and he did so in a variety of effective and creative ways. Before it became known as community service, "Deerfield students were asked to pick and bag potatoes to assist the war effort and local farmers. Being a good citizen required getting your hands dirty, and harvesting dozens of acres.

Through out his tenure, Eric Widmer has continued this legacy with an annual, "Heritage-Day," an all-school day of service. Since the fall of 1995, this orientation tradition has provided every student the opportunity to become better acquainted in a context outside the classroom and dorm, while simultaneously assisting various organizations and citizens throughout Franklin County. Traveling to some 94 locations, students perform services including clean-up protects, painting, harvesting apples and pumpkins, assisting nursing home residents and local Head Start programs. In the process, they gain a better understanding of their social and cultural environment, and themselves.

This fall, we're encouraging the entire Deerfield family to share in this experience by participating in a National Community Service Weekend, September 15-17. Whether you choose to help an existing organization, work with a Deerfield Regional club, set-up your own project or simply pick up trash in your neighborhood, one day over the course of that weekend you'll be making an impact in your local community, just like the Deerfield student body. We'll be sending more information to you in the coming weeks.

Thank you, Eric, for all you and Meera have done for Deerfield. And for reminding us that character can be built on and off campus, making us all worthy of our heritage.