The inaugural John D. Welty Award for Excellence in Community Service will be presented to Fresno State student Daniel Ward, who served more than 300 hours in the past year for local and international organizations.

The award, which includes a $2,500 scholarship, will be given annually to a student who exemplifies the commitment to service that Dr. Welty championed during his 22 years as president at Fresno State. Welty retired in May 2013.

Ward, a senior majoring in Chemistry and pursuing minors in Mathematics, Astronomy and Biology, volunteered his time with Community Regional Medical Center, Bulldog Pantry, Sierra Foothill Conservancy and Quigley Park and its surrounding neighborhood.

“Daniel is a student who walks the talk. He espouses the values and benefits of serving others to his peers and his peers listen because they know he is speaking from experience,” said Mellissa Jessen-Hiser, assistant director for the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning at Fresno State.

At Community Regional, Ward volunteered with the surgical prep department, pediatric intensive care unit and patient transport. With Bulldog Pantry, a student-run pantry providing food to hundreds of families each month, Ward serves on the leadership team, organizes weekly food pick-ups and participates in packing and distribution.

In spring 2013, Ward participated for the third time in Fresno State’s Alternative Spring Break program benefitting Quigley Park in Fresno. For three days during spring break, Ward and others helped revitalize park facilities and provided programming for children and families nearby.

The following summer, he helped lead a group of his fraternity brothers from across the nation in a service project in El Salvador, where they spent a week assisting in the construction of a home for a family.

“I am so honored to be recognized for this award and humbled to be the first recipient of the award that bears Dr. Welty’s name,” Ward said.

Ward is a member of the Smittcamp Family Honors Program who attended Bullard High School in Fresno. He plans to attend medical school after he graduates in May 2014.

“Being involved in service at Fresno State and in the Fresno community has given me a much greater appreciation for the needs of this Valley and has solidified my decision to one day return to Fresno, my home, to practice medicine,” Ward said.

For more information, contact Aleta Wolfe of Career Services at 559.278.2381.

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