THE DIVINITY SCHOOL at WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
The North Carolina Schweitzer Fellows Program, a program of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and the Wake Forest University Divinity School is proud to announce John Lawrence, a first year Divinity student, as a 2007-2008 North Carolina Fellow. This is the first honor of its kind bestowed in the area of Divinity. Bill J. Leonard, Dean of the Divinity School, commented, "We in the divinity school are extremely pleased that John is the first seminarian to receive the Schweitzer award, but we are not surprised. He is a superb student with a strong desire to bridge the 'helping professions' in service and creative action."
The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship's mission is to develop "leaders in service" individuals who are dedicated and skilled in addressing the health needs of underserved communities, and whose example influences and inspires others. To fulfill this mission, Schweitzer Fellows are selected annually to undertake a unique, structured experience involving service, mentorship, fellowship and learning. Schweitzer Fellows are chosen on a competitive basis from student applicants in a variety of health related fields, including medicine, nursing, public health, social work, and law, and they continue their conventional professional training while participating in the entry-year of the Schweitzer Fellows Program. Each newly selected group enlarges a rapidly growing network of Schweitzer Fellows who are committee to supporting each other on lifelong paths of service.
The first US based Schweitzer Fellows Program was founded in Boston in 1991 and the second was in North Carolina in 1994. Fellows work with a local community agency to carry out a project that contributes at least 200 hours of direct service. Fellows also plan symposia highlighting health issues of concern to communities. Currently, 235 NC Schweitzer Fellows have completed the program. The majority work at least part-time in underserved communities, including at the agencies they served during their entry-year.