Athens, GA (May 8, 2007) – On May 5, 2007, members of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s City of Marietta Management Development Program (MDP) Course II class celebrated not only the completion of their studies but also the dedication of a Veteran’s Memorial Garden that they created to honor all Marietta High School graduates who lost their lives in military service.

With group leadership skills as the focus of MDP Course II, the practitioner-students learn by doing. In order to complete the course, they must develop and implement a service-learning project in their community. To be successful, the project must improve an aspect of the community and provide learning in such skills as cooperation, collaboration, and productivity, said Gordon Maner, manager of local government training programs for the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

The idea for the garden began when 1996 Marietta High School graduate Captain Hayes Clayton, Jr., lost his life in Iraq on December 25, 2006. The 22-member MDP class, representing most of the city’s departments, raised more than $5,000 in donations; secured local landscapers and nurseries to donate time, expertise, trees, and plants; and provided the labor.

“All this was done in partnership with the City of Marietta superintendent of schools, Marietta High School administration, the City of Marietta, and the local military community,” Maner said. The garden, located in one of the high school courtyards, consists of five flag poles representing the five branches of the U.S. military, an engraved stone memorial, and extensive planting around the memorial area and path leading to it.

“I am extremely proud of the MDP class members who worked so hard and in cooperation with each other and the community to see this project become a reality,” said Jacque Booker, Vinson Institute adjunct faculty member and class instructor. “Their efforts represent the very best in leadership and public service.”

This article was posted on Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 at 2:56 pm and is filed under News.