Civic Engagement Showcase & Awards

The Center for Civic Engagement is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Civic Engagement Awards. These awards recognize leaders in civic engagement and public service on the Drew campus and in the greater community. Awardees have have shown a deep commitment to making the world a better place. Congratulations to all!

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

Award Recipient: Dr. Kristen Turner, Professor and Director, Teacher Education, Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others.

Award Recipient: Rachel Sawyer, Coordinator of Residential Engagement, Diversity Programming, Drew 110 Instructor

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded annually to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration with the university to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

Award Recipient: Neighbors In Need

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is given to a student enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement

Award Recipient: Stephanie Tobia, Doctoral Candidate in Medical Humanities

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteers Without Borders (formerly the Volunteer Resource Center) to honor students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

Award Recipient: Maimouna Kante, C’20

The Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

Award Recipients: Victoria Adams, C’21, and Diana Karamourtopoulos, C’21

The Class of 1985 Senior Gift Award Prize is awarded to a college student with financial need whose academic promise and vision for a more just community are strong.

Award Recipient: Kayla Ogden, C’20

The Changebuilder’s Scholarship Award is awarded to a student involved with the Changebuilders Program at Drew, who has demonstrated commitment to the highest values of ethical and impactful engagement with community partners. Changebuilders is a statewide program of New Jersey Campus Compact that cultivates graduates who possess 21st century career skills and are committed to the prosperity of local communities through civic engagement. This year, we celebrate two winners of the award.

Award Recipients: Gabrielle Rooks, C’22, and Ama Asante, C’21

The Center for Civic Engagement is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Civic Engagement Awards. These awards recognize leaders in civic engagement and public service on the Drew campus and in the greater community. Awardees have have shown a deep commitment to making the world a better place. Congratulations to all!

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

Award Recipient: Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Theological School

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others.

Award Recipient: Makana Agcaoili, Coordinator of Residential Engagement, Residence Life

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

Award Recipient: Alexander Pearce, C’19

The Changebuilder’s Scholarship Award is awarded to a student involved with the Changebuilders Program at Drew, who has demonstrated commitment to the highest values of ethical and impactful engagement with community partners. Changebuilders is a statewide program of New Jersey Campus Compact that cultivates graduates who possess 21st century career skills and are committed to the prosperity of local communities through civic engagement.

Award Recipient: Francy Camacho, C’19

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration between the university and an external community to accomplish a community service or advocacy project.

Award Recipient: The Feminist Intersection

The Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

Award Recipients: Sunny Andersen, C’20, and Virginia Leach, C’20

The Class of 1985 Senior Gift Award Prize is awarded to a college student whose vision for a more just community are strong.

Award Recipient: Cristina Martinez, C’19

The Center for Civic Engagement is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Civic Engagement Awards. These awards recognize leaders in civic engagement and public service on the Drew campus and in the greater community. Awardees have have shown a deep commitment to making the world a better place.

Congratulations to all the 2018 Civic Engagement Award Winners!

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

Award Recipient: Summer Harrison, Assistant Professor of English and Environmental Studies

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others.

Award Recipient: Robbie Armstrong, Coordinator of Residential Engagement

The Creative Community Award is awarded to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefiting a community outside of Drew.

Award Recipient: Joseph Afanador, C’18, and Foot Soldier Barbering

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

Award Recipient: Kendra Polk, C’18

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is awarded to a student or students enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement.

Award Recipients: O’neil Van Horn and Jennifer Maidrand, Theological School, and Emma Barakat, Master of Arts in Teaching

The Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

Award Recipients: Imelda Reimer, C’19, and Paige Sklar, C’19

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration with the university to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

Award Recipient: Newark Public Schools Dr. Marion A. Bolden Student Center

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in congratulating the 2017 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration with the university to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• Emily Baldi, No2DatingAbuse Program Manager at Jersey Battered Women’s Service, and Jersey Battered Women’s Service

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Elias Ortega-Aponte, Assistant Professor of Afro-Latino/a Religions and Cultural Studies

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others.

• Twannah Ellington, Assistant Director of Educational Opportunity Scholars

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is awarded to a student enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement.

• Saffet Catovic, Theological School

The Creative Community Award is awarded to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefiting a community outside of Drew.

• The Drew Dance Program, led by Kimani Fowlin, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater Arts.

The Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

• Kendra Polk, C’18
• Leah Nadel, C’18

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

• Hannah Kohn, C’17

Special Recognition for Social Justice Action Benefiting Drew University

• Kuumba, the Pan-African Student Organization

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in congratulating the 2016 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration with the university to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• Patrick McGuinn, Professor of Political Science
• Tina Notas, Campus Sustainability Coordinator
• Steph Mazzarella, Student Activities Program Coordinator
• Engy Gadelmawla C’17
• Kara Bradley C’17
• Rosemary Gilmartin, Executive Director, Interfaith Food Pantry
• Erin Long, Interfaith Food Pantry Garden Coordinator
• Russ Hall, President Emeritus, Board of Trustees, Interfaith Food Pantry

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Kesha Moore, Associate Professor of Sociology
• Laurel Kearns, Associate Professor of Sociology and Religion and Environmental Studies, Drew Theological School and the Graduate Division of Religion

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others.

• Jovin Fernandez, Resident Director

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is awarded to a student enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement.

• Philip Salter, Theological School

The Creative Community Award is awarded to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefiting a community outside of Drew.

• Emily Kubin, C’17, Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative

The Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

• Michelle Gonnella, C’17
• Victoria Emm, C’17

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

• Cara Anan, C’17

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in Congratulating the 2015 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Professor Debra Liebowitz, Professor of Political Science & Women & Gender’s Studies
• Professor Chris Ceraso, Professor of Theatre

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is awarded to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Frank Merckx, Dean of Students

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is awarded to a student organization or community partner that leads an effective collaboration with the university to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• Mayor Robert Conley, Borough of Madison
• Jim Burnet, Assistant Borough Administrator Borough of Madison

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism, extra-curricular involvement and off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03).

• Kia Bourdot C’15

THE GRADUATE STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION AWARD

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is awarded to a student enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement.

• Stephanie Weymouth C’15

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is awarded to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefiting a community outside of Drew.

• Samantha Weckesser C’15
• Kate Fisher C’15

THOMAS D. SAYLES JR. STUDENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

• Alyssa Petersen C’16
• Najah Johnson C’16

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in Congratulating the 2014 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is given to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Professor Wendy Kolmar, Professor of English

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is given to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Tina Notas, Campus Sustainability Coordinator

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is given to a student organization that leads an effective collaboration among multiple university groups to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• The Volunteer Resource Center (VRC)

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement, while augmenting their Drew experience with off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03), who worked with the American Red Cross while building the coalition that created the VRC.

• Kristina Farmer C’14

THE GRADUATE STUDENT COMMUNITY ACTION AWARD

The Graduate Student Community Action Award is awarded to a student enrolled in the Theological School or the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies who has benefited a community outside of Drew by integrating an academic or creative endeavor with community engagement.

• Elena Cusmir

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is given to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefitting a community outside of Drew.

• Dr. Marion A. Bolden Student Center Drama Program, Newark Public Schools

THOMAS D. SAYLES JR. STUDENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Thomas D. Sayles Jr. Student Award for Outstanding Service to the Community is awarded annually to up to two junior or senior undergraduate students, who, like the award’s namesake, have demonstrated an exceptional commitment and unselfish dedication to Drew and to the larger community through exemplary service.

• Carolina Caicedo C’15
• Lucianna Silvestri C’14

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in Congratulating the 2013 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

“DREW AND DO” STUDENT AWARD

The “Drew and Do” Award is given to up to three Drew students—from any of the university’s schools – who most effectively combine academic learning or research with community service outside the university.

• Nicole Kuruszko (C’13)
• Christina Ocampo (C’13)

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is given to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Elizabeth Kimball, Visiting Assistant Professor, English
• Sandra Jamieson, Professor of English

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is given to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Wayne Hunter, Telecommunications Manager
• Brittany Gaetano, Women’s Basketball Head Coach

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is given to a  organization that leads an effective collaboration among multiple university groups to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• Morristown Neighborhood House

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is given to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefiting a community outside of Drew.

• Drew Honduras Project

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement, while augmenting their Drew experience with off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (C ’03), who worked with the American Red Cross while building the coalition that created the VRC.

• Caroline Kuras (C’13)

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in Congratulating the 2012 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

“DREW AND DO” STUDENT AWARD

The “Drew and Do” Award is given to up to three Drew students—from any of the university’s schools – who most effectively combine academic learning or research with community service outside the university.

• Caitlin Kennedy (CLA)
• Joshua Clough  (THEO)
• Selime Aksit       (CLA)

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is given to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Professor Patrick McGuinn, Associate Professor of Political Science and education
• Professor Sarah Wald, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Sustainability and English

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is given to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Deshawn Cook, Assistant Director of Residence Life

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is given to a student organization that leads an effective collaboration among multiple university groups to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• Drew Project Yaakaar

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is given to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefitting a community outside of Drew.

• Arts of Respect (accepted by Prof. Jonathan Golden, Associate Director for the Center on Religion, Culture, and Conflict)

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement, while augmenting their Drew experience with off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03), who worked with the American Red Cross while building the coalition that created the VRC.

• Fatou Diallo  (CLA)

Please join the Center for Civic Engagement in Congratulating the 2011 winners of Drew University’s Civic Engagement Awards:

“DREW AND DO” STUDENT AWARD

The “Drew and Do” Award is given to up to three Drew students—from any of the university’s schools – who most effectively combine academic learning or research with community service outside the university.

• Charon Hribar (THEO) for her work with the Poverty Initiative
• Geneva Lewis (CLA) for work at homeless shelters, mentoring of inner city youth, literacy work and Community-Based Learning class participation
• Jeanna Occhiogrosso (CSGS) for work with the Neighborhood House Pathways to Work program

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is given to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Professor Elise DuBord (Spanish) for her work developing Drew’s partnership with Morristown Neighborhood House, the Pathways to Work program and for developing and teaching multiple Community-Based Learning classes.
• Professor Susan Rosenbloom (Sociology) for her work developing Drew’s partnership with the Newark Citizen Schools and for developing and teaching a Community-Based Learning class tying in Citizen Schools that created and facilitated educational after school programs for youth attending underserved Newark middle schools.

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is given to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Rita Gregory for her ongoing work organizing Drew’s Disaster Relief Project, benefitting the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is given to a student organization that leads an effective collaboration among multiple university groups to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• The Alternative Winter Break

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is given to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefitting a community outside of Drew.

• Melanie Robbins (CLA) for her work as a co-founder of Drew’s Peace Builders – Window for Peace program and Drew’s DPY (Drew Project Yaakaar, Senegal)

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement, while augmenting their Drew experience with off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03), who worked with the American Red Cross while building the coalition that created the VRC.

• Cameron Smith (CLA)

“DREW AND DO” STUDENT AWARD

The “Drew and Do” Award is given to up to three Drew students—from any of the university’s schools – who most effectively combine academic learning or research with community service outside the university.

• Ellen Taraschi (CLA ’12) & Ben Privot (CLA ‘10) (shared award)
• Laurie Woodill (CLA ‘10)
• Mei Zheng (CLA ‘10)

FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Faculty Leadership Award is given to a full-time faculty member in any school of Drew University who has demonstrated commitment to civic engagement through advocacy, teaching, or project development.

• Professor Otto Maduro, Theological School

STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Staff Leadership Award is given to a full-time staff member who has developed or supported opportunities for the Drew community to participate in activities that benefit others

• Shawn Spaventa, Coordinator, AV Support

COLLABORATIVE ACTION AWARD

The Collaborative Action Award is given to a student organization that leads an effective collaboration among multiple university groups to accomplish a community service project outside the university.

• The Alternative Winter Break

CREATIVE COMMUNITY AWARD

The Creative Community Award is given to an individual or group in the Drew University community that shows unusual creativity or innovation in pursuit of a community service or civic engagement project benefitting a community outside of Drew.

• Professor Christopher Ceraso (CLA-Theater) and Rodney Gilbert (Marion A. Bolden Student Center)

BEN SALMON AWARD

The Ben Salmon Service Recognition Award was created by the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) to honor those students who enhance the campus through volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement, while augmenting their Drew experience with off-campus service. The award’s standards were set to reflect those of the VRC’s student founder, Ben Salmon (CLA ’03), who worked with the American Red Cross while building the coalition that created the VRC.

• Olivia Harris (CLA ‘10)