Guilford College

The principles of the Bonner Scholars Program impact students in strong ways, influencing their course of study, career path and view on community service. Below are some reflections from current and former Bonner Scholars on what the program has meant to them.

Morgan Andrews ’12: “My time here at Guilford College would not have been the same without the Bonner Center. Bonner has taught me how to lead, inspire, share, give and teach in different types of communities.  Being a Bonner Scholar has changed my way of life and I am so blessed to be a part of something so vital to the Greensboro community.”

Gerina Auguste ’12: “I have always done community service but as a Bonner I learned the difference between community learning and community service. Take part in the community rather than standing on the side lines and the lessons you will learn will last a lifetime.”

Elizabeth Balof-Bird ’05: “I became the project coordinator for the African Services Coalition and student liaison leader between the site and Guilford, so that really helped me with leadership skills and increased my confidence in myself and my abilities.” Elizabeth now serves as the Bonner Scholars Program Coordinator at Guilford.

Alyzza-May Callahan ’10: “For me the Bonner Program was the perfect outlet. It gave me a space to merge my lived experiences with what I was learning in the classroom. The Bonner Program was the ideal window for experiential learning to synthesize my thoughts and actions, to open my vocational path. I would not be the person I am today without the community support of the Bonner Program at Guilford.”

Andrew Glass ’13: “The Bonner Program is difficult, but it’s worth it. Nearly all of theexperiences I put in my resume are a direct result of being a Bonner. The Bonner Program, more than any other program at Guilford, has challenged me and allowed me to grow and achieve more than I thought I was capable of.”

Mandy Lu ’14: “Before I came to Guilford, I did a lot of community service on my own. For me, community service simply meant putting myself in a position that helped others out. The Bonner Center gave me an opportunity to explore my interests through different service sites and helped me make a serious commitment to the kind of work I feel most connected to.”

Shelby Smith ’15: “The Bonner Program is not only a place to help and serve others, but a place to work on yourself. It teaches you responsibility and self-management. You also learn a lot about yourself in what skills you have, what you’re passionate about, and how to fulfill those passions.”

Matthew Steere ’07: “I have found great meaning from my volunteer work at both Pathways and Welcome Baby. In both situations I had the joy of teaching young ones to read, write and play. I helped the kids build strong bonds with their peers and their family. Watching a child’s smile when they learn a new skill is the greatest moment in the world. Bonner allowed me to work with kids and to develop my skills as a child psychologist, something that I’m grateful for.”

Lily Wotkins ’13: “I am so beyond lucky to be involved with this diverse program where we can all share similar interests, helping our community better the lives of low income students, families and children, allowing them to have other options of living. We create, promote, advertise and carry out all types of events for our service sites and we do it with love — Bonner love.”