Connecting a Community
Peace Center Leads to Lifelong Commitment for Students and Alumni

In January of 1986, citizens concerned about the increase in violence and the growing division between the east and west neighborhoods of Springfield, gathered together to discuss a summer program for children called Peace Camp.

Shirley Dyer Wuchter ’68 attended that meeting, and she quickly recruited J. Gil Ware ’58. Both had made life-long commitments to the idea of teaching non-violent problem solving to children.

Wuchter’s passion served the program well. She became its director in 1988 and quickly expanded it to include a two-year day-care project. She also introduced the curriculum into kindergarten and the first grade.

In 1991, Wittenberg began to provide in-kind office space in Blair Hall, and the Peace School officially opened at 224 W. Ward St. Ware, then professor of education, became the “Father of the Peace School,” a title he still wears proudly. Wittenberg’s gift of space has since fulfilled an in-kind requirement for several grants throughout the years.

Wittenberg’s students soon became involved in the fall of 1992 with a workshop-training program for 60 football players. The athletes then taught cooperative games and served as peer mentors on the playground at Emerson Elementary School. More than 120 students have contributed community service to the Peace Center in the last 10 years, and a large number continue to serve after completing their required service.

Tyler Turner ’00 attended the first Summer Peace Camp at Franklin Middle School in 1987.

“I had such a good time as a child,” Turner said. “I knew what I wanted to
do for community service.”

Turner continued working with the center in its classroom and after-school
projects until graduation. He then continued to assist with the summer Peace Camp until this year when a new job kept him away.

“Many students I taught came back as teen peer mediators,” Turner said. “Some of the best experiences of my life have come from my involvement in the Peace Center.

“The messages of the center reach far beyond the camps and classrooms. Parents attend classes when they drop off their kids, and groups of like-minded parents keep in touch and continue to meet to build on the ideas from camp.”
Andrew Buck ’04 completed his community service with the Peace Center in the spring of 2003, returned for the summer camp and continued working with the center until graduation. His dedication earned him the Outstanding Service to Springfield award in 2004.

“The sign out front first caught my interest,” Buck said. “I enjoyed working with the K-3rd grade and continued working to help develop weekly after-school programs.”

“Many students continue to come after they’ve completed their service requirements,” Peace Center Director Nanci Keller said. “They even bring their friends to lend their talents and energies to our program.”

– Phyllis Eberts ’00