More than 150 students, faculty, staff and community representatives were honored for their commitment to community service and service-learning, and a new $2,500 scholarship to honor President John Welty was announced Tuesday, April 30 at Fresno State’s annual Service Recognition Reception.

The John D. Welty Award for Excellence in Community Service was created to honor a student who represents the commitment to community engagement that was exemplified by President John Welty during his tenure at Fresno State. The award is funded by the Radin Foundation of Fresno and will be awarded annually to a Fresno State student starting fall 2013.

Chris Fiorentino, director of the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning said, “No single individual is more responsible for the culture of service that developed at Fresno State over the last 20 years than John Welty. Without his leadership, all the national honors and recognitions for community engagement would not have been possible. This award ensures that his commitment to our students and our community will never be forgotten.”

Spirit of Service Awards were presented to:

  • Dr. Bill Dailey for his pioneering and longstanding commitment to service-learning in Gerontology courses.
  • Peggie Morgan of the Madden Library for her commitment as a volunteer chaplain at Saint Agnes Hospital. She served there for nearly 14 years and touched more than 15,000 people.
  • Rosie Tapia, executive coordinator of events in the President’s Office, who helped coordinate a number of events to engage the campus community in service and recognize those who contribute.
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County. In honor of his more than 20 years of commitment to students and serving the community, the annual award recognizing an exemplary community partner was renamed the “Don Romsa Spirit of Service Award.”
  • Marcela Neri, a senior majoring in Sociology, received the Humanics Spirit of Service award. The 19 graduates from the Humanics Program at Fresno State were also honored.
  • Richard Lazaro-Alonso, a senior majoring in Criminology, received the Student Volunteer of the Year award. He also received the Marc and Marjorie Radin Award for Excellence in Service, which includes a $1,500 scholarship. Lazaro-Alonso also won the award in 2012.

German Marquez, a junior majoring in Agricultural Business was also recognized during the event for his selection as the 2013 Newman Civic Fellow. The award honors student leaders at Campus Compact member universities who are committed to creating lasting change in their community.

Student groups acknowledged for their commitment to service were Richter Center Ambassadors, Scholars in Service, Community Service Scholarship recipients, SERVE Committee members and Reflection Facilitators.

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