Students Honored for Commitment to Service
Standish senior Alyssa Walters is one of six students in the state to receive the Outstanding Community Impact Award, which honors students who have made service an integral part of their college experience.
Along with Midland senior Marcy Gilstad, Walters also received the Commitment to Service Award, an honor given to two students on each Michigan Campus Compact member campus for his or her commitment to community service.
Alyssa Walters (front row, second from left) with an Alternative Break group in Memphis, Tenn., at the Ronald McDonald House.
“Alyssa demonstrates the characteristics of Alma College’s mission statement—she thinks critically, leads purposefully and serves generously while living responsibly,” says Anne Ritz, service-learning coordinator. “She has committed herself to the Alternative Break movement, serving with peers on four service trips, addressing issues such as disaster relief and animal rights.”
Walters has been a driving force in the development and formation of the Alternative Break Student Advisory Board, on which she is currently board chair. As a result of its establishment, Alternative Break opportunities are available to students throughout the academic year, not just during spring break.
Combining her interests in environmental public policy and service learning, Walters also has helped create a sustainability plan for the College and provided leadership and coordination on many projects through an internship with the Gratiot County MSU Extension.
“Through my service, I hope to help people become more aware and engaged citizens,” says Walters. “From students who decide to do not one, but two, Alternative Breaks to kids at the community garden pulling a few weeds, seeing people take ownership of an issue is rewarding to me.”
During the 15th annual Outstanding Student Service Awards Ceremony, which will be held on April 9 in East Lansing, 21 additional students will receive the Heart and Soul Award in recognition of their time, effort and personal commitment through service.
Recipients are Milford junior Erica Adams, Marshall senior Katie Arnold, Adrian senior Ashley Arquette, St. Johns senior Brandt Ayoub, Constantine junior Andria Baker, Shepherd senior Alissa Coldwell, Troy senior Katie Crombe, Bay City senior Matt Davis, Greenville senior Adam Ellsworth, Mt. Pleasant sophomore Carrie Gaudard, Cheboygan senior Christopher Graham, Ithaca senior Sara Hirschman, Wisconsin senior Alexandra Kirchner, Holland senior Emma Kornelis, December 2010 graduate Mike Malloy, Ithaca senior Latisha Misenhelder, Alma senior Mallory Quackenbush, Saginaw junior Ben Roberts, Alma senior Katie Umbarger, Lowell junior Heather Walendzik and Macomb senior Kyla Wojtas.
Michigan Campus Compact promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college and university students to be civically engaged citizens, through creating and expanding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.
Posted: Mon, March 28th, 2011 at 10:12AM
