The presentation includes Director of Community Service Kristen Collier, class of 1992, Administrative Director of Wittenberg’s Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement Stephanie McCuistion and two students, including Mel Muszelik, class of 2012 from Towson, Md. They will discuss Wittenberg’s longstanding commitment to engaging students in the community and the ways that students learn to be responsible, dedicated citizens during their collegiate careers.

Noon Lunch & Lecture Series participants may purchase a meal in Post 95 or the Center Dining Room, both located in the student center, or they may bring a meal from home. The event begins with lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by the lecture at 12:15 p.m., and a question-and-answer period.

Collier has led Wittenberg’s community service program since 2002, after earning a Master of Education in College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison in 1995 and working in a variety of roles at James Madison, Otterbein and Northern Kentucky. She coordinates Wittenberg’s community service graduation requirement, a 30-hour service project that incorporates a critical reflection component, and she serves as advisor to the Community Engagement Scholarship program, which provides a training series to non-profit organizations in partnership with the university.

Among other things, McCuistion is responsible for student leadership development, coordinating Community Based Learning experiences to focus on community initiative goals, coordinating faculty and staff training programs, and serving as spokesperson, advocate and liaison for engagement on campus and in the community. Prior to working at Wittenberg, McCuistion was the community liaison in the Springfield office of United States Representative David Hobson. She currently serves on several local boards and advisory committees.

Muszelik is a biochemistry/molecular biology and economics double major who works as a community service coordinator. President of the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Muszelik participated in a service trip to the African nation of Lesotho, trains service dogs through 4 Paws 4 Ability, and has been active with local service organizations, including Rocking Horse Center and Springfield Regional Cancer Center.

The 2011-12 Noon Lunch & Lecture Series opened in October with a presentation by sisters Janet James and Phyllis Goodman Brockmeyer titled “Egypt after the Revolution: First Americans in!” and continued with a presentation by Professor of History Tom Taylor titled “Wittenberg Stories.” Additional lectures include “Prognosticating Presidential Elections: Old Pols, Talking Hands, and Political Scientists” by Professor of Political Science Rob Baker on March 20; and “Agent Orange in Viet Nam: the 21st Century Perspective” by Associate Professor of Philosophy Nancy McHugh on Tuesday, April 17.

There is no charge for Noon Lunch & Lecture Series events. For additional information, contact Barb Mackey, assistant director of alumni relations, at 937-327-7983.