The Center for Global and Community Engagement (CGCE)
One of the goals of the Wofford experience is to prepare students for lives of service, civic engagement, philanthropy and social justice. The Center for Global and Community Engagement (CGCE) is a collaborative effort among several offices and centers on campus and in the community. It is a place where students may become involved in projects, direct service, philanthropy and social change both in the Spartanburg area and around the world. The Halligan Campus Ministry Center, and the Corella Bonner Service Learning Office are the primary partners in the CGCE. The CGCE links students with community service agencies, placing students where they may be most effective in meeting needs. This program is open to all Wofford students.
Religious and Spiritual Life
As an institution related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford seeks to create a campus atmosphere congenial to spiritual development and social justice. The Methodist heritage fosters on the campus an appreciation of many faiths and a free exchange of ideas.
Religious and spiritual life activities under the direction of the Chaplain include regular services of worship and weekly celebrations of Holy Communion. Religious groups from several traditions, including Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Christian (Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox) have regular meetings and periodic lectures and forums. Professionally trained and credentialed leaders serve as campus ministers for these groups. Student-organized religious and spiritual groups also function on campus.
Para-church groups have staff and offer activities on campus and in the community. Convocations dealing with issues of religion, spirituality and ethics are made available to the campus community.
The Office of the Chaplain, the Campus Ministry Center, and the Service Learning Center share a common vision of “an alliance of activist learners equipped and empowered to build more just, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable communities.” Together, these offices develop educational experiences that implement this vision.
The Halligan Campus Ministry Center
The mission of the Halligan Campus Ministry Center is to
- inspire participation in the spiritual journey
- engage in the theological exploration of vocation
- build a more just, peaceful and resilient world
Whether one is wrestling with big questions or searching for a community of faith (spiritual journey), attempting to discern talents, passions and strengths while deciding what to do in life (exploring vocation) or ready to commit to direct service and action (building a resilient world), the Halligan Campus Ministry Center is a valuable resource of encouragement, contemplation and connection for the Wofford community.
The Corella Bonner Service Learning Center
The college creates and maintains opportunities for students to serve in a number of Spartanburg agencies that work with local communities and provide assistance to people in need. The Wofford community is offered many opportunities to reflect upon and address social change issues related to their service. These programs function under the theme of Wofford Engaged.
Bonner Scholars
Each year the college awards scholarships to approximately 60 Wofford students known as Bonner Scholars. The scholars, selected when they enter as first-year students, perform 10 hours of community service each week during each academic year and 280 hours of service during each of two summers during their undergraduate careers. The Bonner Scholars program is a joint venture of Wofford College and the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, Princeton, N.J.
Twin Towers
The Twin Towers program (the name reflects the most prominent architectural feature of the college’s Main Building) links students with community service agencies, placing students where they can be most effective in meeting needs. Coordinated under the direction of the Corella Bonner Service Learning Center, this program is open to all Wofford students.