WMU News

Five students receive Michigan service awards

April 29, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- A statewide organization presented community service awards to five Western Michigan University students during an April 10 awards ceremony in Lansing, Mich.

The students were honored at the fourth annual Student Recognition Ceremony put on by Michigan Campus Compact, a coalition of 32 colleges and universities in the state. The event honors college students from across Michigan who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service throughout their college careers.

Receiving awards were Maureen McGlinchey of Sterling Heights, Kimberly Donaldson of Rochester, Marisa Berry of Rochester Hills, Moses Davis of Detroit and Beth Marten of Grand Rapids. All four recipients are seniors, and Davis and Berry will graduate April 24.

Students were nominated for the awards by faculty, staff and students at MCC member institutions, with students and staff from around the state helping to select the recipients, said Katrina Chester, coordinator of WMU's Student Volunteer Services.

"We're immensely proud of our award winners and of the tremendous spirit of volunteerism on our campus," Chester said. "Thousands of students engage in service activities each year. These dedicated young men and women are helping to make the future brighter for our campus, community, state and nation."

McGlinchey, who is majoring in both biomedical sciences and Spanish, received the Outstanding Community Impact Award. The award recognizes up to five students who have made service an integral part of their college experience through their significant investment in enhancing community resources.

A Lee Honors College student, McGlinchey volunteers at the First Presbyterian Health Clinic and has worked with United Campus Ministries as a leadership trainer and a member of its Team Mexico mission trip. She also has been involved with two student-run service programs, serving as a participant for Alternative Spring Break and as co-chairperson of the 1998 Alternative Winter Experience.

McGlinchey organized monthly service events for the WMU chapter of a national honor society and for the last two years has presented a workshop on the importance of reflection in service at the Campus Outreach Opportunity League National Conference. In addition, she was recently certified by the American Red Cross as a community first aid and CPR instructor and will be teaching these classes in English and Spanish.

Donaldson, who is majoring in Spanish, received the Commitment to Service Award. This award recognizes one student per MCC member campus for either the breadth or the depth of their community involvement.

In addition to presenting reflection workshops with McGlinchey, Donaldson's volunteer service has included work with such local organizations as Housing Resources Inc., the Kalamazoo County Department of Community Mental Health, Next Door Shelter for Women, Gryphon Place and the City of Kalamazoo's Division of Recreation, Leisure and Cultural Services.

Donaldson also has been a volunteer for Alternative Winter Experience and served as co-chairperson for the program in 1998. She recently helped form a new student organization on campus called Raising Awareness About Hunger and Homelessness.

The University's other three honorees all received the Heart and Soul Award. This award recognizes students for time, effort and personal commitment to their communities through service.

Berry, who is majoring in social work, has been an active Alternative Spring Break volunteer in addition to sharing her time and talents with, Circle K International, the Bertha Capen Reynolds Society, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Services, and Ministry with Community.

Davis, who is majoring in secondary English education, has been involved with WMU's Student Volunteer Services for the last three years, most recently serving as chairperson for Alternative Spring Break. He also is the assistant adviser for Interact, a nationwide service organization.

Marten, who is majoring in business with a concentration in human resource management, served as emcee for MCC's April 10 awards ceremony. She is an active representative of Student Community Action Network, a statewide student group sponsored by MCC, and was a site leader for Alternative Spring Break as well as a volunteer for Saturday's Kids. She currently is working on a volunteer recruitment campaign on campus.

MCC seeks to help students develop the values and skills of citizenship through community service activities. It is rooted in the idea that through service, campuses and communities can share their resources and work together to build stronger communities.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu


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