The University of Central Arkansas honored faculty, students and partners during the fourth annual Service-Learning Awards ceremony for their achievement in service-learning Monday, April 24.
This academic year, 42 faculty members instructed 1,572 students in 104 academic service-learning courses, serving 97 community partners in Conway and surrounding communities. Special recognitions were given to four UCA students, a faculty member and a community partner.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to once again recognize the contributions of UCA students, faculty and community partners through service-learning. The work of service-learning is by nature collaborative, so when we recognize individuals, we also recognize and thank the partners that supported their work,” Dr. Lesley Graybeal, program coordinator for volunteerism and service-learning said. “This is our biggest year to date in terms of participation, and I am looking forward to seeing the program continue to grow.”
(left to right) Ethen Cavanaugh, Audrey Schucker and Garrett McKamie
Ethen Cavanaugh received the Leadership in Service-Learning Award for his work with the Community Connections’ ACTS Jr. program. This initiative, the Acting Creates Therapeutic Success Jr. program, integrates children with and without disabilities together through the use of performing arts.
Garrett McKamie’s love of people and his heart to serve individuals with special needs landed him this year’s Spirit of Humanity Award.
The Exceptional Achievement in Service-Learning Award went to Audrey Schucker for her sustained commitment to excellence in service-learning through her work with Glenhaven’s Sparks Out of School Program and Super Science Saturday.
President Houston Davis and Morgan Sweere
The university honored Morgan Sweere for receiving the Newman Civic Fellows Award, a national service award through Campus Compact. Sweere received the Newman award for her investment in finding solutions to challenges facing her local community.
Conway Police Department Maj. William Tapley and Dr. Sherry Skaggs, assistant professor of criminology
Dr. Sherry Skaggs, assistant professor of criminology, was recognized with the Peter J. Mehl Service-Learning Faculty of the Year Award for her ongoing support of service-learning and contribution to the public good. This award is given annually to a service-learning faculty member and was renamed this year to honor program’s founding faculty liaison, Dr. Peter J. Mehl.
Conway Police Department received the Community Partner of the Year Award for providing ongoing support to UCA faculty and students with their service and experiential learning projects.
The Service-Learning Program is a part of the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA.According to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. For more information, please visit: uca.edu/outreach