|
Administrator honored for community serviceFeb. 20, 2009 KALAMAZOO--Traveling from high school to high school across the country, Tony Dennis doesn't just see an army of hormones or all the challenges facing young people. He sees Western Michigan University's next generation of community leaders and WMU graduate students. Dennis is WMU's associate director of recruitment and retention for the Graduate College, and he also is involved in outreach initiatives to K-12 schools. He has been named a recipient of this year's Michigan Campus Compact Faculty/Staff Community Service-Learning Award, an honor that recognizes contributions to community service. The award was presented at the MCC's annual reception Feb. 12 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich. Awards are given to one person from each MCC member campus who engages or influences students to be involved in community service or service-learning through modeling, influence or instruction. The prestigious annual award is the highest MCC bestows on faculty and staff in Michigan. Dennis was nominated by Dr. Timothy Greene, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. Community service is an important focus for all students at WMU, Dennis says. It is illustrated through the mentoring and support that occurs among WMU's graduate students as well as through a Graduate Students of Color Education Day held each fall in Kalamazoo to answer middle school and high school students' questions about college life. "My goal has been to teach students that when they come to the University, they will leave much better than when they came in--not just academically. And their concerns will not just be with what's happening on campus but also in the community," says Dennis. "It's an opportunity for them to give back." "We are thrilled that MCC has recognized Tony for his outstanding contributions to our students and WMU," adds Dr. Timothy J. Greene, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "He has made a significant difference for many years, and we thank him for his continued dedication." Michigan Campus Compact is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. MCC has 41 member campuses and Michigan members are part of the national Campus Compact, a coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents, representing approximately 6 million students. Dennis, who has worked at the Graduate College since 2005, came to WMU in 1993 as assistant director of undergraduate admissions and also has worked as director of recruitment and student services for the College of Aviation. He is married to Dr. Betty Dennis, WMU's associate dean of Extended University Programs. For more information, contact Tony Dennis at tony.dennis@wmich.edu or (269) 387-1247. Media contact: Deanne Molinari, (269) 387-8400, deanne.molinari@wmich.edu WMU News |
