The outstanding efforts of faculty and students in the areas of service learning, volunteering, and community work-study were acknowledged during the annual Celebration of Service ceremony, Tuesday, May 3, in E. H. Butler Library.

Service-learning courses provide students with a meaningful community service experience connected to course learning. In 2010-2011, nearly 3,500 students took part in service-learning, volunteer, and educational activities organized through the center.

“Student interest and engagement in community service and academic service-learning is growing,” said Laura Hill Rao, coordinator of the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. “The Celebration of Service showcases some of the truly spectacular work that was accomplished this year and celebrates the students, faculty, and community partners involved.”

Visual and poster presentations preceded the awards presentation with faculty and students sharing videos, posters, and materials from their service-learning experiences during the semester. Welcoming remarks were offered by President Podolefsky.

Awards presented at the Celebration of Service included:
The Dr. Muriel A. Howard Award for Service Leadership
Mrs. Elaine Smyth-Bogumil, coordinator of volunteers, Journey’s End Refugee Services (retired)

Outstanding Community Service Work-Study Student
Channel Davis, PUSH Buffalo

Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Service-Learning
Joy Guarino, assistant professor, Theater Department

Outstanding Service-Learning Community Partner
Wegmans (Amherst Store)
XCEL Leadership Center

Outstanding Service-Learning Course (14 hours or less)
HRT 380 Advanced Training in Hospitality
Faculty: Lori Till, associate professor, Hospitality and Tourism Department 

Outstanding Service-Learning Course (15 hours or more)
SSE 605 Teaching with Historic Places and Artifacts
Faculty: Jill Gradwell, associate professor, History and Social Studies Education Department

Outstanding Student Academic Achievement in a Service-Learning Course
Deborah Russell – SSE 605 Teaching with Historic Places and Artifacts, Buffalo Museum of Science

Outstanding Student Community Service in a Service-Learning Course
Katelin Shaffer – COM 308W Public Relations Writing, Young Audiences of Western New York

Outstanding Student Volunteer
Janay Jackson

Participants in the 2010 Service-Learning Faculty Fellows program were also recognized:
Susan Baldwin, assistant professor, Health and Wellness Department
Sarbani Banerjee, associate professor, Computer Information Systems Department
Annemarie Franczyk, assistant professor, Communication Department
Candace Masters, assistant professor, Art Education Department
KeunYoung Oh, assistant professor, Technology Department
Alice Pennisi, assistant professor, Art Education Department
Kim S. Truesdell, associate professor, Elementary Education and Reading Department