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Jessica Horstkotte '08

Jessica Horstkotte '08

Jessica Horstkotte '08

Major: Sociology
Minor: Education Studies
Hometown: Wilmette, IL

Service Activities:

  • Community Immersion Pre-Orientation participant 2004, leader 2005
  • Common Good Day participant 2004 & 2005, organizer 2007
  • Common Good Grant Committee Extension Committee 2005-2006, Grant Committee 2007-2008
  • Alternative Fall Break at Camp Sunshine Volunteer Counselor 2005
  • Swim Team bring donations to country of trip 2005, 2007, 2008
  • Ironbear volunteer & helped with organization 2006 & 2007
  • America Reads/Counts student coordinator spring 2006 & spring 2007
  • McKeen Fellow for Community Engagement 2007-2008
  • Community For All Ages steering committee member 2007
  • Service Learning Course: IDEP 240 Maine Social Research Fall 2007

How did you first get involved in service at Bowdoin?

Service was my introduction to Bowdoin. I participated in the Community Immersion Pre-O as an incoming freshman. It was a great way to get to know the community and the CSRC office. For the rest of my freshman year I was kept busy getting to know the school in other arenas, but at the end of the year I found myself back in their office applying to lead the same pre-o I had participated in and I’ve been there ever since.

What have you gained from your service experience and working in the community?

My service experiences over the past four years have allowed me to gain a greater understanding of community dynamics. I have been privileged to work with children, older adults, homeless, and well established in the Brunswick community. In doing so I have developed a greater understanding for the challenges each group faces and how they struggle separately and together.

What does it mean to serve the common good?

Serving the common good can take many forms. I believe for an individual to serve the common good they must utilize their strengths to affect change. Whether through business, political advocacy, mentoring, or daily service, as long as your actions have a positive impact on others each of us can contribute to the common good in our own way.

Story posted on May 12, 2008

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