Bates College has been a national leader in the area of service learning for years. That commitment stands to grow with the new Harward Center for Community Partnerships.

Named for former president Donald Harward, the new center brings together several of the school’s existing community outreach efforts under one administrative roof, including its student volunteer program.

The goals are simple to state, but more difficult to implement: Put the resources, expertise and manpower of the school into solving problems within the community. Already, the school does admirable work, helping dozens of local organizations. The hope is to better integrate those activities into new and existing academic programs.

Service learning puts what students are learning to work in the community. As an example, this spring a group of students studied the Androscoggin River. Using the data collected, they became advocates for improving the river’s water quality standards. Other students helped Androscoggin Head Start develop performance measurements to meet a new federal requirement. The list goes on and on.

Students also benefit from service learning. Many students look for opportunities to put what they are learning to work and to gain practical experience.

A social contract exists between a college and its host community. As Bates President Elaine Hansen told the Sun Journal last week, in a knowledge-based economy, the kind of skills Bates students have to offer can be a great asset. Service learning recognizes the connection and the potential for great accomplishments.

A college education today is often treated as a personal investment. It’s much more than that. All of society benefits from an educated citizenry, which is the foundation for a healthy, growing and innovative economy. The Harward Center has the opportunity to demonstrate that and to improve the educational experience for its students at the same time.