EAU CLAIRE – Tuesday, April 23rd, 7 am, the Dakota Ballroom was dressed to the nines, and had highly anticipated the arrival of Service-Learning award, scholarship and fellowship recipients. “And the award goes to…” was the theme of the breakfast, and recipients of the awards were recognized one at a time with a small presentation of their commitment to service-learning.
Two students were honored as Excellence in Service-Learning recipients. Roman Karpovich found a unique community need through Experimental Aviation Association chapter. He went above and beyond his hours and is still helping them to this day. Kyra Luttenegger also received this award for her outstanding work in Costa Rica aiding in agriculture, reforestation, and education through social and global awareness.
Lisa Narveson and Rachel Steuer were awarded in Excellence in Service-Learning as a Community Partner. Lisa Narveson has been aiding UW-Eau Claire students at Mayo Clinic Health Systems. Lisa has students all over Mayo doing a variety of tasks and implemented an avenue called Med-X program where students can shadow doctors. Rachel Steuer is a part of a very successful program in Center for International Education called the Buddy Program. This program partners domestic or current international students at UW-Eau Claire with incoming international students with goals of building intercultural relationships through interests, language, culture, and friendship.
Excellence in Service-Learning as a Mentor awards were granted to Kim Wellnitz and Charles Vue. Kim has mentored 63 students in a large array of projects. Charles has reflected with 32 students on various projects as well. Both mentors have an impressive attentiveness for students while juggling busy schedules.
Aside from awards, we also honored scholarship and fellowship winners. Casey Dahl was awarded the Sally A. Webb International Service Fellowship for her plan to participate in a 6-week volunteer opportunity in Querétaro, Mexico with AIESEC. Ashley Dalgren won the Schadeberg Family Scholarship for her dedication to serving her community. The Ryan Prechel Community Service Fellowship was given to both Caitlin Hedberg and Nicholas Carolfi. Caitlin plans to use her half of the fellowship towards the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Nicholas is executing a day of learning for Latina middle school students at UW-Eau Claire for his half of the fellowship. The Ryan Prechel Hunger Relief Scholarship was awarded to Emily Geving. Her plans include creating a community garden to provide fresh veggies for the Sojourner residents. Finally, Lauren Becker was granted the Ryan Prechel Honors Scholarship for her outstanding work at UW-Eau Claire.
Benita Wagner, the Service-Learning Coordinator, finished off the elegant affair with recognition to everyone who has gone the extra mile in Service-Learning. As all three of Wagner’s assistants are either graduating or transferring within the next month, she delivered a heartfelt goodbye to her students. As everyone left, they took one last stroll down the red carpet, because everyone deserved to feel like a star that morning.
