St. Cloud State has earned two awards from a state organization that promotes civic work and civic learning. A third award went to a St. Cloud State partner.
Our 2017 Minnesota Campus Compact winners were chosen based on campus recommendations to Ashish Vaidya, interim president.
Student Leadership Award
For several years, social work students have used Project Connect to bring resources and services to people experiencing extreme poverty and/or homelessness. Last fall, undergraduate students led efforts to distribute nearly $14,000 in supplies to community members. The group’s faculty adviser is Sheila Moriarty, assistant professor, Social Work Department.
The award honors “a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership, evidenced by initiative, innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public issues, effective community building and integration of civic engagement into the college experience.”
Civic Engagement Steward Award
The Our Husky Compact team champions St. Cloud State’s promise to deliver an education that will prepare students to be global citizens of the 21st Century.
The team has engaged the campus in developing a set of learning outcomes for students and employees.
The award salutes an “enhanced quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college or university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.”
Among the people promoting Our Husky Compact are Strategic Planning Committee members Lisa Foss, vice president for planning and engagement and chief strategy officer; Kristian Twombley, associate professor, Department of Music; and John Eggers, director of counseling and psychological services.
Community Partner Award
The Initiative Foundation was honored for its support of projects with St. Cloud State’s School of Public Affairs, Small Business Development Center and School of Health and Human Services. The latter’s SCRUBS Camp offers students entering grades 10-12 opportunities to explore health science professions through hands-on activities.
The Little Falls-based community-development agency serves Central Minnesota with activities such as loans, grants, programs and donor services.
The award recognizes “a community-based organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and has engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with the college or university, thus enriching educational as well as community outcomes.
A national organization, Campus Compact supports the public purpose of colleges and universities by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.
The awards were presented at an April 5 luncheon at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
