MONROE, Mich. – As the birthday of the late Honorable John D. Dingell Jr. on July 8 draws near, the inaugural group of Dingell Scholars and the staff of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park reflected on the congressman’s impact on the park and talked about plans for the recently launched internship program.
“Congressman Dingell said that National Parks are ‘…the most important gifts that we can give…future generations.’ He was involved in every aspect of creating River Raisin National Battlefield Park,” said Park Superintendent Scott J. Bentley. “He spent countless days ensuring that future generations would have the benefit of learning the powerful lessons held within the Park’s sacred soils. To honor Congressman Dingell’s legacy, we are pleased to launch the Honorable John D. Dingell Scholars Internship in partnership with Monroe County Community College.”
Funded through the Dingell Endowment Fund administered by The Foundation at Monroe County Community College, students enroll in the the three-credit summer Internship class. Students may also qualify for an intern stipend from the Dingell Endowment.
The inaugural group of Dingell Scholars includes Caitlin Kern and Tim Goins of Monroe and Eric Ferguson of Ida. All three students are studying history at MCCC and were selected because of their interest in the National Park Service and following in the public service footsteps of former U.S. Congressman Dingell who himself once served as a park ranger.
The internship experience includes a minimum of 48 hours of job shadowing, training and service at River Raisin National Battlefield Park. Activities the interns will be involved in this summer include assisting on the interpretive tours of the park’s new 12-passenger Voyageur Canoe and facilitating educational sessions for school-age children, such as lessons in period fishing and kayaking. In addition, the interns will also be assisting with historical research projects, such as recording and transcribing oral histories of the development of the park. One of the histories currently being transcribed is that of Congressman Dingell who shared his memories of the evolution of the park prior to his death earlier this year.
The interns are also expected to research and write a paper on a topic that will benefit the educational programs, preservation, restoration or interpretation of the battlefield and present a public program there in the form of a lecture or living history presentation.
“The internship provides students with an opportunity to explore the National Park Service and other related careers, while giving back to their community by advancing the mission of our battlefield in an area related to the career goals and aspirations of the student,” said Dr. Joshua W. Myers, executive director of The Foundation at MCCC. “Congressman Dingell deeply loved nature and history. He was passionate about the conservation and preservation of the world we borrow from future generations. It is fitting that we pay tribute to his legacy through this exciting partnership.”
Individuals interested in supporting the continuation and growth of the Dingell Endowment and the Dingell Scholars program can call (734) 384-4214 or make a donation online via PayPal at www.monroeccc.edu/foundation.
“As a living memorial to Congressman Dingell, this program will continue to cultivate future leaders and stewards of America’s greatest treasures,” said Bentley.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located in Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.