On April 27th, during the 12th Annual Week of Engagement, the Center for Service and Learning announced this year’s winners of the Excellence in Engagement Awards at the annual Excellence in Civic Engagement Award Banquet at the Historic Clarion Hotel Morgan.
This year’s banquet keynote was John Williams, a Democratic member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 51. He was first elected to the chamber in 2016. His remarks focused on the value of public service and keeping young West Virginians engaged in the state.
Each year, the CSL accepts nominations for the awards from both the WVU campus and Morgantown community in the areas of student excellence, student org excellence, campus/community partner excellence, and faculty/staff excellence.
“Every year we become more aware of just how powerful service can be in enhancing academic learning.” said Dr. Kristi Wood-Turner, CSL Director. The recipients this year have made lasting impact in our community, and expanded the reach of service. We are proud to recognize each of them with these awards.”
The 2017 Excellence in Engagement Award Recipients:
Daniel Wilson - Student Excellence
Dan Wilson has been an exemplary volunteer throughout his time as a landscape architecture major at West Virginia University. During his three years at WVU, Dan has volunteered extensively in building the Falling Run Greenspace trails, leading at least 15 crews of volunteers in preparing the trail. Additionally, he successfully solicited a native plant nursery near his hometown to donate native rhododendron, azaleas, and other shrubs for the Falling Run project, resulting in a donation of approximately $1000 worth of plant materials that he then helped plant. Dan recruits trail crew members from his classmates and his enthusiasm for native plants is contagious.
Muslim Student Association - Student Organization Excellence
The MSA at WVU has been an active student organization at WVU since 1975. Their goal is to help further Muslim students in their faith, serve the wider community, as well as promoting a greater understanding of Islam for non-Muslims and Muslims alike. The MSA supports all humans in becoming better people, helping others, and improving the world.
Beyond the MSA sponsored events, they strongly support other organizations that promote social justice, human rights, peace and equality. The MSA is exceedingly collaborative with other campus and community organizations, inclusive of people of any faith or creed. Their tremendous impact on inspiring others to engage and serve with is evident.
Girls on the Run of North Central WV - Partner Excellence
Girls on the Run of North Central West Virginia inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through an empowerment program that creatively integrates running. GOTR has worked with the Center for Service and Learning since 2011. GOTR’s curriculum is centered on five core principles: Confidence, Character, Care, Connections and Competence. Not only do the organization’s leaders inspire these qualities in the girls participating in the program, but also in the volunteers who serve with them in any capacity. Over the years, GOTR has welcomed WVU students from freshmen through graduate students; hosting a multitude of service-learning class groups; and a consistent stream of short and long term engagement opportunities. Volunteers report an infusion of joy and gratitude permeating every aspect of the organization and its leadership.
Margaret Stout, Ph.D. – Faculty/Staff Excellence
The recipient of this award is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at West Virginia University, whose research explores the role of public and nonprofit practitioners in achieving democratic social and economic justice, with specific interests in administrative theory, public service leadership and ethics, and sustainable community development.
She visualized and realized an area of emphasis in Local Governance and Community Development for the MPA program, teaching courses in local governance, public engagement, public planning, and sustainable community development. Each of these courses is designed as a service learning course, fully integrating applied research into all assignments. This two-year series of courses make a long-term sustainable impact not only in the community, but also on student learning.
For more information visit: http://service.wvu.edu.