Becoming of Greater Service

Stanford’s emphasis on public service would make Jane and Leland Stanford proud. Their founding vision of a Stanford education that would prepare students to become of greater service to the public is a legacy that continues today.

Through the Haas Center for Public Service, students pursue full-time summer or quarter-long public service experiences, building knowledge, skills and networks while making meaningful contributions to communities locally, nationally and globally. Community-engaged learning courses across Stanford’s seven schools help students apply classroom learning to real-world societal problems. Students make and sustain service commitments through student-led organizations and signature programs, and are encouraged to pursue work in the public interest.

Building a Better World

In 1985, Stanford was among the first research universities to establish a compre-hensive public service center. The Haas Center for Public Service, the hub of Cardinal Service, inspires and prepares students to create a more just and sustainable world through service, scholarship, and community partner-ships. Stanford Career Education, located nearby, helps connect students to experiential learning and meaningful jobs after graduation.

Real Life Lessons

The residential neighborhood known as The Row is part of Stanford’s diverse housing system that provides an integrated experience of living and learning. The Row is comprised of 35 student-operated, cooperative, theme and Greek houses for about 1,600 undergraduates. Managing the houses and affiliated campus-wide events helps prepare students for a life of leadership, intellectual engagement and service.

While the instruction offered must be such as will qualify the students for personal success and direct usefulness in life, they should understand that it is offered in the hope and trust that they will become thereby of greater service to the public.

JANE LATHROP STANFORD
CO-FOUNDER OF LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY