Robert
Bassett
(Class
of 1967)
For
Robert (Beau) Bassett, community service is more than a profession; it's also his
passion. He currently serves as the Spirit of Community Youth Leadership
Coordinator for Volunteers of America Alaska, where he trains youth and adults
in service leadership and service learning. Since 1997, Beau has been a
national trainer in the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute for the Points of
Light Foundation. And apparently undaunted by his earlier years in the
chilly climate of upstate New York, he has lived and worked in Anchorage,
Alaska, since 1976.
In
2001, Beau was named a national Daily Point of Light by the Points of Light
Foundation for his work in community youth development. His training has
also taken him to communities in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida,
Colorado, New Mexico, Michigan, Washington, and Oregon. Beau is a 2001
graduate of the Leadership Anchorage Program, which encourages and promotes the
development of diverse community leaders. He is also the volunteer
president of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, a public foundation based
in Tioga County, New York.
Beau
Bassett's road to Alaska was paved with many stops along the way. After
receiving a degree in economics from Dartmouth College, and a law degree from
Syracuse University, he served in many positions, all related to community
service and youth development. These included being a Volunteer in Service
to America (VISTA), lawyer, secondary school social studies teacher, camp and
conference center director and a national service-learning peer
consultant. He went to Alaska to create an outdoor adventure based program
for youth that would divert them from the criminal justice system. In
1992, he received a Master of Education degree from Boston University.
What
inspired Beau as a young person? "My friends" he says.
"They represented diverse individuals, possibilities and
opportunities. I was also inspired by positive adult role models from my
family, national leaders such as John F. Kennedy, and successful individuals in
education like my teachers and counselors." Today, he continues to be
inspired by young people who do and accomplish great things regardless of their
life circumstances. Beau also values the strong connection between the
resources and opportunities he had during his years at F-M, and his capacity to
give back to the community and country in his adult life.
The
Bassett family is well represented at F-M. He has six nieces and nephews
who are current or former F-M students. Beau is a dog lover, and at one
point owned and ran a five-dog sled team in Alaska.
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