- Worcester State University News - https://news.worcester.edu -

Worcester State Community Recognized for Service to Others

The Celebration of Service Across the Ages showcased a variety of community service projects and recognized community partners, students and faculty with awards on Tuesday, April 10, in the Student Center’s, Blue Lounge.

Worcester State University has been named to the 2012 U.S. President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by The Corporation for National and Community Service. The students, faculty and community members recognized at the event helped the University win this prestigious recognition.

“It is in our best interest to work collaboratively on service initiatives that are meaningful,” said President Barry M. Maloney.
Lionel Carbonneau, master teacher, and Alicia Suenaert ’12, program coordinator, with the Intergenerational Urban Institute’s Elder Immigrant Tutoring Program were both granted awards for their dedication to the program and helping immigrant community members from Worcester. Words of appreciation were spoken from three individuals who were enrolled in the program: Aferdita Dishnica, Aristotle Mici and Ferat Kroi. Dishnica and her husband as well as Kroi said learning to speak, read and write English in the program enabled them to pass their U.S. citizenship tests and become U.S. citizens.

Keynote speaker Barbara Canyes, executive director for the Massachusetts Campus Compact, spoke to the audience about “service being a career path, not just an add-on.” Service is important and it helps not only the community, but individuals as well, she said.

“Many faculty members are trying to find a way to incorporate service into classes, while 20 years ago, it was very rare to see this.” Canyes believes that service is now “part of this generation” and should continue to be significant in communities and universities alike.

Many awards were distributed throughout the ceremony to students, faculty and community members. The 2012 Newman Civic Fellows Award recipient was Patrick Hare ’12, while the 2012 Community Engagement Award was given to Bill Fredricks, founder and owner of All Care Medical Supply, for his generous support of Dr. Kathryn Baldor’s International Health Care Outreach in Belize. The Faculty-Staff Community Engagement Award went to Professor Ann Veneziano-Korzec, director of the Worcester State University Speech-Language-Hearing Center, for her dedication to clients, students and the center, and her passion for community service.

Student awards were given by faculty in the nursing, sociology, physical and earth sciences, history, nonprofit management, management, and urban studies programs. Students who worked for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program were also recognized. HOT Team Awards were also given to two students, Amanda Johnson and Helen Shuster.

Dr. Mark Wagner, director of the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, performed a musical number with his Intensive English Language Institute students. Members of the WSU Chorale, directed by Dr. Christine Nigro, performed as well.

The Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement recent alternative spring break trip [1] to Heifer International/Overlook Farm in Rutland, Mass., was acknowledged. The History Department and Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement also saluted the students who participated in the trip to Manna International in Nicaragua.

The celebration was sponsored by the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement [2] and Intergenerational Urban Institute [3].

Written by Chelsea Tougas ’12, a communication major, president of WSU’s Omega Psi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, student worker in the Student Affairs Office, and intern with the WSU Public Relations and Marketing Office.