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KIPCOR: Graduation Pledge

College seniors at more than 100 colleges and universities internationally have, for the past 20 years, been taking the Graduation Pledge: "to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."

Each student determines exactly what the Pledge will mean for him or herself.

The goal of the pledge is to create a reminder for students that no matter where their career paths take them, they can always give back to society, can always find a career to fit their values, and can lead an involved life.

Students are given a green ribbon to wear at graduation, reflecting that they have signed the Pledge.

The Pledge has received significant attention from both educators and media such as USA Today, BusinessWeek and The Wall Street Journal. It has been signed by students at small liberal arts colleges like Bethel, and also at high profile universities like Harvard, MIT, Northwestern, Stanford, Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania. Schools on four continents, including Europe, Asia and North and South America, are involved in the Pledge.

KIPCOR administers the Pledge at Bethel College.