Mount Mercy University senior and Enactus student leader Miranda Hammes is one of 20 college students from Iowa and California selected for the first class of the new Principal Community Scholars Program.

This new program from Principal Financial Group of Des Moines, Iowa is designed to encourage student leadership to meet community needs and comes with a $1,000 scholarship after completion.

Scholars were selected by Principal, Iowa Campus Compact and California Campus Compact after a rigorous review of nominations submitted by faculty or staff from their institutions. Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education.

Hammes was chosen because of her direct involvement in #Sandbags2Handbags, a project headed by Mount Mercy’s Enactus team. Enactus is a national community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world.

In response to the area’s September 2016 flood threat, #Sandbags2Handbags aimed to eliminate waste by turning leftover sandbags into reusable handbags. Students developed their own business practices for the recycled products, including paying fair wages to workers, managing profit margins and following business regulations.

“Miranda was the first student to raise her hand and say ‘yes, I want to help with this project’,” said Mount Mercy assistant professor of business and Enactus advisor Nate Klein, who nominated Hammes. “She has led project meetings with community members, created marketing ideas, washed sandbags and been there every step of the way to drive this initiative.”

Through the Principal Community Scholars Program, Hammes will continue to develop and further expand #Sandbags2Handbags as well as support other community efforts.

“We were impressed by the caliber of the community projects students will be taking on as a part of this scholarship,” said Iowa Campus Compact Executive Director Emily Shields. “It is clear they have deep commitment to their communities and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish.”

Selected students will come together virtually on January 24, for a retreat designed to introduce key concepts related to community engagement and service. They will connect with each other and learn about the work being done by Principal and Campus Compact.

You can purchase Sandbags2Handbags online.

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January 23, 2017, 7:20 pm

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MMU alumna publishes children’s book inspired by family’s ALS experience

January 24, 2017, 5:55 am

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Mount Mercy University alumna Laura L. White recently published “The Wondrous World of Wren and Will,” a children’s book inspired by her family’s personal experience with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

White’s ex-husband, Troy, was diagnosed with ALS six years ago, and the interactions between him and their children inspired her to write the story.

“Troy’s abilities and strength started to diminish in the first two years from diagnosis,” White recalled. “During that same time, my children were growing stronger. Wren was learning to talk; Troy was struggling to complete a sentence. Will was starting to walk; Troy was being placed with a wheelchair. It was scary, confusing, and really difficult for everyone in the family. I decided to write about the fun and creative ways Wren and Will interacted with their dad and his wheelchair.”

White began writing the book while working full time and taking night classes in the accelerated program at Mount Mercy.

Laura L. White

“It was challenging, but my family was supportive and made it possible,” she said.

In the book, Wren and Will work together to help their dad make daily challenges more fun. Fearing the children might grow up too fast, their mom creates alter egos: the Super Ws. The Super Ws use their exceptional skills to help their dad. At the end of the day, the duo discovers there are a lot of ways to play with their dad and his wheelchair.

With this book, White hopes to bring a positive light to chronic illness and to familiarize people with the changes it may bring.

“I hope this book will help families with any challenge see that, despite the hardships, there is always something to be happy about, always something to be thankful for, and there is always fun to discover.”

White will read her story at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, located at 450 Fifth Avenue SE, on Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. Books will be available for purchase at the reading, but can also be found at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Green Ivy Books Publishing, and on her Facebook page.

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January 25, 2017, 9:40 pm

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January 25, 2017, 10:30 pm

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[Illinois] Gilmor art exhibit, "BED SHOE HOME," depicts homelessness struggles

January 26, 2017, 12:57 pm

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The University YMCA will host an art exhibit titled “BED SHOE HOME” by Jane Gilmor, a visual artist and art professor at Mount Mercy University. The exhibit will open Thursday and run until March 17.

The exhibit will feature a collection of beds decorated with blankets and pillows. These, however, are not ordinary beds; they are made of metal — even the bedding. Oversized metal books with quotations and drawings will be displayed on the other side [Keep reading at dailyillini.com…]

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Professor Emeritus Jane Gilmor

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Alumni Profile: Seth Pennock '16

January 27, 2017, 6:00 am

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Seth Pennock ’16 learned many of the skills he uses today with the Mount Mercy University chapter of Enactus, where he was able to develop a passion for leadership, entrepreneurship and service to others. Eventually, his involvement [Keep reading…]

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