Students Awarded for Community Involvement

by Michelle Swafford

Des Moines, Iowa (Feb. 12, 1997)-- Oftentimes students make contributions to Drake and the community that go unnoticed. A program now recognizes these students and their contributions.

A newly designed T-shirt will be given to the students being honored. Jennifer Hubbard, Crawford Hall director, designed the T-shirt.

"(We are looking for) students, not necessarily leaders, who did something unique to help people on campus or in the community," said Betty Gause, director of student activities.

The idea came about during a staff meeting among Gause, Jerry Price, dean of students, Jan Wise, director of student organizations, Tom Tronick, director of Greek life, Jenny Szmanda , director of residence life, Tom Peterson, director of University Counseling Center and Jim Nelson, director of campus ministries. They wanted a way to recognize students who do little things on campus that don't normally get recognition.

There is no set criteria; the recipients are based on recommendations from administrators and students. The goal is to select an average of 10 students a month. When the students are selected, they receive a letter from Dean Price and are asked to come to the Student Life Center.

They are not told why ahead of time. At the Student Life Center office, they participate in a reception and receive their T-shirt. Also, the students' pictures are taken to be displayed on the west wall of Olmsted Center.

In the first group of recognized students, chosen in February, there were 12 recipients. Mike Wendt (BN4) provided leadership in sensitive situations; Julie Knake (AS2) developed and coordinated Discovering Des Moines program for first-year students; Teva Dawson (AS4) provided contributions and leadership during Rape Awareness Week; Terisita Hampton (AS2) coordinated the Black Cultural Center and located additional furnishings for the center; Robin Kniech (AS4) presented a program on hetrosexism and homophobia to Drake students; Bryan Hadley (AS4) presented a Men and Rape program to the fraternities; Tara Wesely (AS4) coordinated development of a Peer Advocacy program which provides support to Drake students who are sexually abused; Melissa Ferguson (PH3) provided community service with Carpenter Hall, Partners for Progress and National Residence Hall Honorary; Laura Cortez (AS2) provided strong leadership for La Fuerza Latina's development; James Alsup (JO4) provided leadership in sensitive situations as a Residence Assistant; Parady Sok-kim (JO2) planned and publicized Herriott Hall's Swing Dance, and Julie Sauer (PH4) provided community service with the Best Buddies program, Partners for Progress and Phi Delta Chi.

The display in Olmsted Center describes why each student was selected. The recipients will have their names published in the classified section of "The Times-Delphic" newspaper to further congratulate them.

"(The program has been) very successful," Gause said. "Hopefully it will help students to help each other more."

More students can be recognized by selecting candidates once a month. "We hope to use the whole board next year ... keep expanding on the numbers (of students)," Gause said.

If a student knows someone who should be recommended, they can email or call Tronick, Wise, Gause or Dean Price to let them know.

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