Ed Meyen could hardly fathom Tuesday the breadth of volunteerism in Lawrence public schools that emerged from a task force he led in 1992.

“What’s exciting is the broad base of involvement,” said Meyen, professor of education at Kansas University.

Lawrence Supt. Randy Weseman and Larry McElwain, chairman of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, were hosts at a ceremony Tuesday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds that paid tribute to 15 businesses that have remained partners with a school since the Lawrence Business/Education Partnership formed a decade ago. That program was an outgrowth of the task force.

“Over the past 10 years, it has produced relationships that have really enhanced the quality of education in this community,” Weseman said.

The partnership changed its name last month to Lawrence Education Achievement Partners.

Sarah Martin, LEAP’s director, said the new name emphasized that the underlying goal of the cooperative effort was improving student achievement.

In the beginning, Meyen led a group that was asked to figure out how the school district and chamber of commerce could devise a program to produce a more qualified work force.

That resulted in formation of Lawrence Business/Education Partnership, which had a modest first-year goal of six partners.

That target was met when the partnership formally began operation in 1993, and in the intervening years it accumulated an astonishing 110 partners.

Martin said these partners came to the aid of district schools by providing $819,000 in cash donations, in-kind gifts and volunteer support during the 2002-2003 school year.

Benefits of a partnership accrue to businesses and schools, Weseman said.

“Businesses start to develop an understanding of what’s involved in contemporary public education,” he said. “At the same time, our teachers and students are exposed to issues relevant to the business community.”

Doris Ricks, partnership liaison for Hallmark Cards, said she appreciated the bonds that can grow between businesses and schools.

“If we are involved, you know what’s going on in the community,” she said. “What I think students are getting is a little bit of exposure to whether they want to further their education or want to go into today’s labor pool.”

Employees at the Hallmark plant, 101 McDonald Drive, have been active at Lawrence High School from the start of the partnership.

In fact, Hallmark sponsored the first summer workshop for partnership members.

The company continues to work with LHS students on the Day of Caring, mock job interviews, plant tours, classroom speakers, arts exhibits, Pack the House, Project Graduation and other activities.

Cindy Yulich, Lawrence school board member and former member of LEAP’s board of directors, said many of the district’s students got a charge out of developing a one-on-one relationship with a volunteer.

“It’s somebody reading to them or taking them to lunch,” she said. “It all boils down to helping that student achieve.”

Others on the 10-year anniversary list: Astaris, Capitol Federal Savings and Loan, Charlton Manley Insurance, Commerce Bank, Del Monte Foods, Dillons, Douglas County Extension Service, Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, McDonald’s of Lawrence, Coldwell Banker/McGrew Real Estate, Stephens Real Estate, US Bank and Wal-Mart.