Joan Odell, who chairs the Town & Gown Committee, and Newark Mayor Harold F. Godwin present an award to Samantha Abramson, one of 25 UD students honored for their work as volunteers.

3:15 p.m., May 15, 2003--University students were recognized at the annual Town & Gown Community Service Award Ceremony, Monday, May 5, in the Newark Municipal Building for their volunteer work and contributions to both the University and the community.

The Newark Town & Gown Committee, a group of city and UD officials dedicated to addressing issues of the campus community at large, honored the 25 recipients. The awards were presented by Mayor Harold F. Godwin, Joan Odell, who chairs the Town & Gown Committee, and Marianne Green from career services.

The purpose of the ceremony, Godwin said, is to honors those students who have “contributed selflessly” to the University and the community. “ These young people really do a lot to help make the town of Newark, the town that it is,” he said.

Odell expressed her appreciation at the awards ceremony, adding, “ These students really make the University and town proud.”

The students honored were nominated by the city agencies where they worked, by fellow students or by themselves. Award recipient, Jennifer Phillips, who worked extensively with Supporting KIDDS, a support group for grieving children, said, “Volunteering is something I believe in, and something that’s important. I also think that volunteering isn’t just something that benefits the people I help, it also greatly influences my life.”
Samantha Abramson, CHNS 2006, another award recipient who does many hours of volunteer work with Girl Scouts, Churchman’s Village Nursing Home and Make a Wish Foundation, said she enjoys volunteering too much not to do it because of school work. “My Girl Scouts are my favorite,” she said.

Charles Collins-Chase, EG 2004, said, “ I feel like I get a lot from the University, and volunteering is a chance to give back to the University community.” Collins-Chase is the co-chair of Battle for Life Committee, the University hunger project, and has helped raise money for children affected by AIDS, played bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor and tutored at Brookside Elementary School.

After the awards ceremony, cookies and punch were served to the proud parents and students, while city officials got the chance to congratulate the honorees.

Those honored are listed below.

Samantha Abramson
Sophomore in medical technology from Smithtown, N.Y.
Many hours of volunteer work with Girl Scots, Churchman’s Village Nursing Home, Make a Wish Foundation, Organized volunteers for Emmaus House, a Homeless Shelter

Jessica Armstrong
Sophomore in sociology from Rockville, Md.
Organized the Daffodil Days fund raiser to support the American Cancer Society for the UD campus and for the city of Newark.

Melissa Blauvelt
Senior in family and community services from Phoenix, Md.
Worked with Americorps program, organized hunger banquet to encourage people to learn about world hunger.

Melissa Calvanico
Junior in nursing from Staten Island, N.Y.
A peer minister and youth leader and has been involved with Senior Olympics and worked with blind athletes.

Charles Collins-Chase
Junior in chemical engineering from Mahtomedi, Minn.
Co-chair of Battle for Life Committee, the University hunger project, helped raise money for children affected by AIDS, plays bingo with Little Sisters of the Poor and tutors at Brookside Elementary School.

Tomica Collins
Senior in medical technology from Wilmington
80 hours of volunteer work while going to school full-time and raising a child.

Ryan Dech
Senior in English from Germansville, Pa.
A member of Promoters of Wellness, involved with delivering educational programs such as stress management, alcohol awareness, safe sex and communicating in relationships on and off campus.

Danielle Geraci
Junior in criminal justice from Cranford, N.J.
Worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity, pulled together a group from all over campus to go on an alternate spring break helping Habitat for Humanity build houses in Tennessee.

Jamie Haigh
Freshman in Spanish education from Newport
Active in Read Aloud Delaware both in high school and college. After undergoing training, she reads to children at day care centers to give them a head start on their academic training.

Markus Johnson
Junior in human services, education and public policy from Edgewood, Md.
Active volunteer for Public Allies, an Americorps program, Wilmington Urban League, Bridges after school program where he was a tutor for inner city youth.

Eric MaryEa
Senior in criminal justice from Nesconset, N.Y.
Volunteer with Delaware Emergency Care Unit, where he puts in several hundred hours a month and mentors other EMTs.

Collen Madden
Freshman in French from South Hampton, Pa.
Puts together charity events and fundraisers for Operation Smile

Aileen McKernan
Senior in exercise science from Bloomingdale, N.J.
Member of Promoters of Wellness, creator of new programs in nutrition, eating disorders, stress management for campus community.

Michelle Meehan
Freshman in arts and science from Tucson, Ariz.
Volunteers at Newark Day Nursery, where she works on self-help skills with children.

Morgan Meszaros
Continuing Education student in history from Wilmington.
Volunteer work at Delaware Humane Association Adoption Center, where she helps patrons pick a cat and trains other volunteers.

Peter Moffett
Senior in liberal studies from Pilesgrove, N.J.
Volunteers with the Delaware Emergency Care Unit, keeps ambulance in service and serves as mediator.

Christopher Murphy
Senior in wildlife management from Wilmington
Worked on Make A Difference month, updating volunteer organization database, volunteered through Delaware Futures, a mentoring organization.

Randi Murray
Senior in historical education from Middletown, Ohio
Involved in MS walk; Diabetes walk, Relay for Life, Adopt a Family, Heart of America blood drive, mentor for Townsend Elementary school and Christmas in Odessa

Alondra Pacheco
Sophomore in women’s studies from Newark
Volunteered for Planned Parenthood, wrote public service announcements, helped with health fairs and high school educational projects.

Jennifer Phillips
Graduate Student in individual and family studies from Gloversville, N.Y.
Worked extensively with Supporting KIDDS, worked with Healing Pathways, a support group for grieving children. HOSTS mentor at Warner Elementary School, and is completing her master’s thesis on volunteerism.

James Sarakatsannis
Junior in biochemistry from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Member of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, founder & co-chair of Alpha Lamda Delta’s Battle for Life Committee, plays bingo at Little Sisters of the Poor and involved in Adopt-a-Highway.

Kara Sylvis
Junior in business from Amherst, N.Y.
Representative of the Resident Student Association, working with the Building Responsibility Coalition’s policy and Enforcement Task Force to shape local and state alcohol policy, involved with Relay for Life and American Cancer Society.

Erica Wells Walter
Senior in English from Avon, Conn.
Make a Wish Foundation, volunteered many hours to help develop a database and talks to families about what the wish is and how it can be fulfilled.

Elizabeth Wong
Freshman in finance from Wilmington.
Volunteer at Christiana Hospital’s maternity ward, works for Junior Achievement as spokesperson.

Article by Kristi Hook, AS 2003
Photos by Greg Drew