This paper discusses the evolution of the concept of public service at land grant universities, pointing out the challenges confronted by these universities today and tomorrow and current challenges experienced in the areas of leadership and volunteer development. First, the evolution of the concept of public service at land grant institutions is traced from the 1862 Morrill Act establishing these schools through a 1985 survey of the National Association of State Universities of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges that showed 100 respondents agreeing on a single definition of "public service" (later cited by P. H. Crosson at a conference held in November, 1988). Specifically, the paper identifies challenges in the areas of: global interdependence and change, resource consolidation, the re-definition and re-commitment of ethics and values, the need for cooperative energy and "value-added" commitment, the application of knowledge and research, and expansion of the public base being served. Obstacles (structural, human resource, political, and symbolic) faced by a specialist in leadership and volunteer development are identified, and public service goals for such a specialist are named. These goals include: (1) serving as a professional link between the university community and the public; (2) serving as a resource for the generation, interpretation, and dissemination of knowledge; (3) stimulation of "value added" volunteerism; and (4) demonstration of leadership in interaction with the university and its public. Contains 18 references. (GLR)