AU Recognizes Students, Faculty, Staff, Community Partners for Service
Photo: School of Nursing faculty Ken Osborne, Jason Pierce, Dr. Karen Williams, and Beverly Travis.
Anderson University recently recognized several students, faculty, and staff for their dedication to community service during the past year.
The 2013-14 Community Partner of the Year was awarded to Dove Harbor. Dove Harbor provides opportunities for students to be involved in programming, interpersonal training, and leadership roles.
“Dove Harbor has greatly assisted in the learning process of several AU students,” said Dr. Shelda Borders, assistant professor of psychology.
Students honored for their commitment to serving in the Anderson community included:
■ Josh Smith has volunteered with Pendleton Juvenile Center and Operation Foundation, served as Hall Chaplain, and experienced mission work in Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Italy.
■ Kaylee McDougall successfully organized an anti-bullying training day for Liberty Christian School faculty and encouraged them to apply those skills in both the classroom and the community.
■ Anna Rayis has led Student United Way this year as campus coordinator. She coordinated the Orientation Service Project for Madison County schools, organized teams for Winter Weatherization, and started initiatives such as The Love Project.
■ Stephen Morris has worked passionately with the Christian Center to help better this community. He has also served on mission trips, including in Monterrey, Mexico.
■ Jesica Soriano has served in many different capacities, including as an advocate for fair Immigration reform, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance student volunteer, Capilla student coordinator, Software Research Center Co-Director, Massey scholar, volunteer ESL student teacher, and TAPP student accountant.
■ Jennie McMullin has successfully led and directed Operation Foundation: Project Anderson for the past two years. She also followed her heart for ministry to Uganda as a Spread the Word intern.
“The stories and recognition shared at the Celebration of Service chapel is a real-life demonstration of how faculty, students, and staff embrace the core values of the institution: excellence, integrity, servant leadership, responsibility, and generosity”, stated Stephanie Moran, Director of the Community Partnership Center at Anderson University. “Service is integrated into the fabric and culture of Anderson University”, said Moran. “Whether it is through coursework, ministry, social clubs, athletic teams, freshman orientation, participation in National Days of Service, or other various volunteer opportunities, students have lots of opportunities for engagement.”
Four faculty were presented service awards from the School of Nursing.
■ Dr. Karen Williams serves as Dean of the School of Nursing and actively works in the community to aid and educate patients in need of health care. She is an Advocate for the uninsured and underinsured.
■ Beverly Travis works to meet the professional development needs of healthcare professionals and RN’s by developing pathways for the BSN.
■ Jason Pierce encourages and supports educational opportunities for children and youth in healthcare professions by engaging them through the School of Nursing.
■ Ken Osborne works with community partners and those in the healthcare industry to provide professional development and skill training with the School of Nursing.
Two staff members received service awards for their individual impact on the community. Kim Wolfe provides tremendous value to our campus by donating her time and talents to community organizations like Dove Harbor. She has assisted students in finding ways to serve and learn within the organization. Vanessa Tijerina, with her husband Tom, operates a non-profit, free-of-charge boxing gym called EPIC. She actively seeks to impact change in this community and serve those around her in this unique way.
Anderson University is a private Christian university in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music, nursing, and theology.
