Two MSU programs and 23 students have been awarded the national Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing 100 or more hours of volunteer service within a one-year time frame during the 2014-2015 academic year.
The PVSA awards are an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and administered by Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to public service.
MSU’s Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement became an official PVSA Certifying Organization in 2015. For nearly 50 years, CSLCE has worked to advance community engaged learning, and prepare students for lifelong civic and social responsibility in an increasingly diverse and complex global society.
“These students were willing to ask what was needed, roll up their sleeves, and put in the hours to make the world a better place. We are so proud to call them Spartans,” said Renee Zientek, CSLCE director.
Two registered student organizations received a “gold” group rating based on the high number of volunteer service hours each member contributed during 2014-15. The 23 students awarded individual medals documented service performed ranging from 108 to 388 hours.
Recipients receive a certificate of accomplishment and a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama.
Gold Level
Courtney A. Woods, of Madison Heights, Interdisciplinary Studies graduate
Alternative Spartan Breaks*
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance*
Silver Level
Hauwa Abbas, of East Lansing, junior in advertising
Catherine Bargerstock, of East Lansing, arts and humanities graduate
Ashley Barr, of Livonia, freshman in pre-nursing
Derying Liaw, of Taipei,Taiwan, senior in hospitality business
Adam Kogelschatz, of Rockford, master/s student in accounting
Maighlin M. Kolesar, of Ironwood, junior in nutritional science
Haley Macko, of Flushing, genomics and molecular genetics graduate
Asha Shaw, of Detroit, master's student in accounting
Christopher Shim, of Canton, senior in accounting
Troy Manuel Villanueva, of Lansing, communications graduate
Bronze Level
Melissa Vader, of Kalamazoo, elementary education graduate
Katie Callihan, of Brighton, nursing graduate
Sadie Crunk, of Garden City, junior in social work
Nick Falkiewicz, of Brighton, nutritional science graduate
Sean Bruce Hamborsky, of Grosse Pointe, master's in accounting
Kerry Korpela, of Battle Creek, junior in environmental geoscience
Tayler Lalinsky, of Canton, senior in interdisciplinary studies
Raverna Moore, of Okemos, junior in Spanish
Lauren Pereny, of Madison Heights, senior in interdisciplinary studies
Gabrielle Rendon, of Holly, psychology graduate
Madelyne Ross, of Farmington Hills, genomics and molecular genetics graduate
Eric L. Walton, of St. Clair Shores, medicine graduate
*ASB and VITA are registered student organizations.
Photo courtesy University Outreach and Engagement