Upper Iowa University organizations receive 28th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Award
Upper Iowa University's Student Activities Board and Student Government received a Governor's Volunteer Award from Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad during a ceremony recently in Waterloo. The lead volunteers for UIU's recognized Adopt-a-Highway program are the Student Government Association (SGA) officers, from left, Academic Extension Officer Justin Marchant, Oregon, Wis., completing his bachelor's degree in biology and sports and exercise science; Secretary Skylar Lesan, Solon, Iowa, majoring in psychology with a sports and exercise science minor; President Anthony DiJohn, Aurora, Ill., majoring in accounting, financial management, and management; Vice President Kayla Ludwigson, Alma, Wis., double majoring in psychology and human services with a minor in sociology; and Treasurer Lauren Verhulst Dike, Iowa, Verhulst is an accounting major.
FAYETTE, Iowa (July 15, 2011) - Upper Iowa University's Student Activities Board and Student Government received a Governor's Volunteer Award from Governor Terry E. Branstad during a special recognition recently in Waterloo.
Upper Iowa University's Student Activities Board and Student Government Association (SGA) received a group Volunteer Award by Paul Trombino from the Iowa Department of Transportation for numerous years of service to the Adopt-a-Highway program.
Upper Iowa's SAB (Student Activities Board) consists of eight members who are responsible for carrying out planned campus activities for UIU students. UIU SGA representatives are elected by the student body to make decisions on their behalf that help improve student life.
"Community service is a way for many people, particularly the young, to regain a sense of community. The Upper Iowa University community service program provides students with the opportunity to involve them in a variety of enriching, useful, and practical experiences that serve the school and community," said Daryl Grove, executive director of student leadership and adventure. "Students and staff who participate in these volunteerism opportunities gain a sense of pride knowing their actions help the greater good."
The Governor's Volunteer Awards program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. The program has grown from a small program only available to state agencies to its present function of providing all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy and effective way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level recognition award. Volunteers may be nominated for an award in one of several categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service, or Disaster Volunteer.
"Iowa is currently ranked second in the nation for its state volunteerism rate, which is most certainly a direct result of the devotion of Iowa's volunteers," said Governor Branstad. "I am honored to have this opportunity to personally thank this year's award recipients for donating their time and talent to help their fellow Iowans and make a tremendous difference in our state."
The annual "Volunteering in America" study, released each June, details the millions of hours that volunteers in Iowa collectively contribute. The estimated annual economic impact of that service is well over $1 billion. The entire report can be viewed at www.volunteeringinamerica.gov.
More than 700 volunteers were selected for awards in 2011. A complete list of 2011 award recipients and an electronic copy of this press release are available at www.volunteeriowa.org/awards. Electronic photographs will be available approximately one week following each ceremony and may be requested by sending the individual's or group's name and which ceremony they attended to icvs@iowa.gov.
The Governor's Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor's Office. For more information, visit www.volunteeriowa.org or call 515.725.3094.
For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.