Wendt Character Scholars Promote a Gratitude Week at UD
Nov 1, 2013 | Kristi Lynch
During the week of November 11, the University of Dubuque Wendt Character Scholars will celebrate Gratitude Week. The week will focus on how simply giving thanks can be a humbling experience, and can make a huge difference in a person’s life.
How often do you say thank you? How often do you hear others say thank you? ‘Thank you’ is a phrase that often goes unspoken or hurriedly mumbled when we are rushed. Gratitude is an expression of thankfulness, appreciation, and gratefulness to those around us. Gratitude for God’s work in our lives and the sacrifice he’s made for us motivates us to reach out to others.
The Wendt Character Scholars are planning ways to express their gratitude in activities that will focus on genuine appreciation to those who have made a difference on campus. Whether it’s providing breakfast to the Maintenance staff, or hosting a social for International students, sending notes to Security staff, or giant thank you cards to faculty and staff, saying thanks matters!
“That these students find so much meaning in hosting Gratitude Week encourages all of us,” said Dr. Annalee Ward, director of the Wendt Center for Character Education.
The Wendt Character Initiative was established in 2004 at the University of Dubuque by the endowed Lester and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative Fund. The Initiative operates under the care of the Wendt Center for Character Education. This Initiative promotes a campus culture that nurtures the formation of excellent moral character, and that encourages all members of the community to live lives of purpose. The work of the Wendt Character Initiative is centered in the University’s Mission and Values, a commitment to its Reformed Christian identity, and a sense of creative vocation in faithful response to the Creator. This Initiative is part of the total educational experience of all University of Dubuque students through curricular and co-curricular programs. Faculty and staff also participate in the Initiative through special programs during the school year.
