Tiffany Chan is the recipient of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn White Enrichment Award.

Last spring, my women’s literature professor, Carol MacKay, introduced me to the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. Giving back to the community that continues to give me so much is important to me. I know the difference it has made to have been blessed by the presence of supportive people in my life: my family, my friends, teachers, professors, and, during my time now at The University of Texas, especially the Texas Exes, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, and Marilyn White through the Forty Acres Scholars Program.

I knew immediately that I had to apply to this summer program in Washington, D.C. offered by the Fund for American Studies. It was an opportunity to discover how my passion could become my profession. With students from universities across the nation and around the world—including a fellow Stamps scholar from the University of Illinois—I quickly became immersed in both theory and hands-on experience.

In June, Professor Richard Boyd led our class in an exploration of voluntary associations and how they function within a democratic society. In July, we tackled philosophical problems with Professor Gregory Wolcott through the lenses of utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics to answer the question: What social responsibilities do individuals and organizations have?

Additionally this summer, I interned at a nonprofit promoting children’s literacy called Everybody Wins! D.C. It was there that I learned the ins and outs of a nonprofit and discovered what it takes for one to succeed: truly dedicated and passionate people investing their time and energy towards a cause they strongly believe in. This sense of heart is irreplaceable. In the words of Douglas Adams, “To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.”

This summer, I also developed an unexpected lifelong friendship. I spent my last night with Alexandra Forte, my best friend, sitting on the other side of the Lincoln Memorial. Looking over the water and skyline, we recounted and reflected on the past two months. I am blessed by her presence in my life and our beautifully strong friendship. It is impossible to imagine the summer without our late night chats, spur-of-the-moment road trips, shared tears, and laughter.

My experience in the nation’s capital intensified my love for service, and I returned beyond excited to continue connecting with my home community. I have realized that my passion is not with a cause in the traditional sense. Yes, I enjoy working with kids and facilitating STEM summer camps at the children’s museum; I enjoy interacting with animals and exercising shelter dogs around Town Lake; I enjoy helping to improve the environment and clearing greenbelts of invasive species. But my true desire is to inspire a lifelong dedication to philanthropic service in others.

I learned so much this summer: what "business casual" really means, how meaningful a mentor-mentee relationship can be, and to always carry an umbrella in D.C. But, most importantly, I learned that service is not about the number of hours or amount of money you put in. It is about how much heart you invest in others. 

Photo courtesy Tiffany Chan.