Public Service Center creates student awards

By Sheezan Bakali '01

Letters keep pouring into Renee Farkas' office at Cornell's Public Service Center from community agencies praising the efforts students have been making through volunteer work and work-study programs.

"We've had some wonderful Cornell volunteers," said Andi Gladstone, director of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance. "One in particular helped us create an entire referral system, and she's worked hours and hours for us. We'd like to see these students recognized because they've really helped us."

Testimonials have encouraged staff at the Public Service Center to establish the Community Spirit Awards, to recognize students involved in off-campus service programs.

"There are students who volunteer as big brothers and big sisters, at suicide prevention services and to help battered women, for instance. Some go through up to 30 hours of training and put in six to eight hours of service a week. The agencies can't say enough about them," said Farkas, coordinator of community programs at the center.

"We had a recognition event years ago, but we stopped having it because it was too big. We had been recognizing seniors who had done even one hour of service during their college careers. We decided to revisit the idea so that we were only recognizing students who had really made strong contributions to the community," she said.

Now Farkas and the center's assistant director, Sarah Brown, are asking agencies and faculty to nominate students who have shown outstanding community involvement. Up to six students (three volunteers and three on work-study) will be recognized in each of five categories: Dedicated Service, for long-term commitment to a single agency or project; Innovation in Service, for project initiation or other enrichment of an agency's services; Community Building, for promoting understanding of a particular issue; Star Performer, for enthusiasm in service; and Excellence in Academics and Service, for active involvement along with a grade point average of 3.0 or above.

Nominations will be accepted at the Public Service Center until March 18. A committee of students, center staff and community members will choose the award recipients. An award ceremony will be held April 22.

For more information about the Community Spirit Awards or volunteer opportunities, contact the center at 255-1148.