Project Pericles and the Center

A.     In spring 2004 St. Mary’s College of Maryland accepted the invitation of the Project Pericles, a not-for-profit organization that works with selected colleges and universities to integrate education for socially responsible citizenship into institutional cultures.  St Mary’s joins other universities and colleges formally committed to “instill[ing] in students an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern.” Project Pericles encourages institutions to provide a foundation for social and civic involvement through coordinated activities in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community. Read the College's press release on Project Pericles.                                  

      (Photo at left: The St. Mary's College of Maryland delegation with PP founder Eugene Lang at the 2004 Project Pericles conference on civic education at Macalester College in Minneapolis, MN. From left to right: Vice President of the College and Dean of Students Michael Freeman, Lisa Ball ('05). Eugene Lang, SMCM Assistant Professor of History Jane Calvert, and Gary Stapleton ('07).

      Project Pericles was founded in 2001 by Eugene Lang, a philanthropist who also started the “I Have a Dream Foundation.” St. Mary’s is the first public college to join the pilot group of “Periclean” schools which includes Allegheny College, Bethune-Cookman College, Elon University, Hampshire College, Macalester College, New England College, Pace University, Pitzer College, Swarthmore College and Ursinus College. The invitation to join Project Pericles was based in part on the initiative and track record of the Center for the Study of Democracy.

    The Center for the Study of Democracy is the lead program representing the College’s participation in the program. As part of the resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's College, the Center will continue to strive to accomplish the following five core objectives which are in line with the goals of Project Pericles:

1.   Developing a comprehensive Democracy Studies program for undergraduates at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

2.  Hosting a Visiting Scholar-in-Residence and providing guest lecture series;

3.  Implementing an international exchange program for students and young scholars between the College and selected developing democratic nations;

4.  Establishing a publications program;

5.  Organizing student internship opportunities for St. Mary's College undergraduates that encourage civic responsibility;

E.