May 28, 2015
Gold, silver and bronze awards to Miamians for their volunteer work
Chris Klefeker received bronze from the national President's Volunteer Service Award program.
Twenty-four Miami University students have won the 2015 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for their community service work. Chris Klefeker, coordinator of service learning and volunteerism at Miami Hamilton, also received recognition for her work.The award was designed to thank and honor Americans who inspire others to engage in volunteer service through their own actions. It was created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 under the George W. Bush administration. Miami University was recognized as a certifying organization in 2008.
"The award shows that service is valued on a national level,” said Klefeker. “It unites all of us who have a true dedication to service, and it shows that the country values our contributions to our communities.”
Students, faculty and staff track their volunteer hours electronically and receive acknowledgement for their service from the president.
Gold award (250+ service hours) winners are:
- Alyssa Ellsworth, junior, early childhood education
- Amber Henry, senior, psychology and sport leadership and management
- Charles Lantz, senior, middle childhood education
- Catherine Lok, senior, biology and premedical studies
- Jillian O’Neil, senior, kinesiology and nutrition
- Miranda Stowe, junior, marketing
- Claire Gilbert, senior, statistics
- Lauren Gottschalk, junior, psychology
- Jennifer Kendel, sophomore, zoology
- Emily Kuhn, senior, middle childhood education
- Calen Settles, senior, music education
- Elizabeth Arington, senior, family studies
- Matthew Beckman, junior, business management technology and integrative studies
- Lori Bledsoe, senior, integrative studies
- Melanie Bukovec, senior, bioengineering
- Emily Cole, junior, health promotion
- Samantha Garner, senior, speech pathology and audiology
- Alexandra Harris, senior, supply chain and operations management
- Michelle Ittner, senior, social work and psychology
- Cara Murphy, senior, biology and premedical studies
- Noel Novak, junior, early childhood education and teaching English language learners
- Migle Staniskyte, senior, psychology
- Connor Thompson, freshman, civic and regional development
- Samantha Thurman, senior, marketing
