The ceremony began with remarks by Ron Smith, chairperson of the Town and Gown Committee, and Newark Mayor Vance A. Funk III. The speakers commented on the benefits of volunteering and thanked this year's winners for their contributions to the UD and Newark communities. After the opening speeches, each student volunteer was recognized with a certificate of appreciation.
At the end of the ceremony, Dennis Woolf presented the Nikki Woolf Volunteer of the Year Award. Woolf established this award in 1994 in honor of his daughter, a UD junior who died in 1993 after being hit by a car while seeking help for a flat tire. Nikki was an avid volunteer during her time at UD and played a role in establishing VOICE, a group of psychology students who mentor patients at the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
“We created this award to recognize the sensitivity, generosity and outstanding community service that our daughter Nikki stood for,” Woolf said. “We hope she can see all the good deeds that are being done by the winners of her award.”
The 2008 Nikki Woolf Award was presented to Shari Mann, a senior psychology and women's studies double major from Southampton, Pa., for her work with the YWCA of Delaware. Since September, Mann has worked with children in the Home-Life Management Center, assisted with adult workshops and served as a clerical assistant to keep YWCA programs running smoothly. She also underwent training to help manage the Volunteer Delaware Web site and assist with staff training on the effective use of volunteers.
Furthermore, Mann served as an essential part of organizing the Ask Breakfast and the Evening of Style, two major fundraisers for the YWCA. She was often the last volunteer to leave in the evenings, staying to work with the YWCA staff until 1 a.m., even after her internship hours had been completed. Her hard work and dedication represent the true essence of volunteerism and serve as an inspiration to others to give back to the community.
The following UD student volunteers also were recognized at the May 5 ceremony:
Kyle Reed, a junior history and education major from Hamburg, Pa., for his work planning lessons and tutoring local elementary school students in literacy skills for the America Reads program;
Takara Hopps, a junior English education major from Camden, Del., for her role as UD's key student sponsor for the 2008 MS Walk and her work as treasurer of ASPIRE, a program that supports the recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented groups at UD;
Amber Grant, a master's degree candidate in business administration from Washingtonville, N.Y., for her work as volunteer president and co-chairperson of Team Bank of America and for her efforts on the Girls Take Charge fundraising committee;
Rebekah Kaplan, a senior sociology and women's studies double major from Newark, Del., for her work on the Civil Justice Project for the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
Paul Ashton, a master's degree candidate in criminology from Columbus, Ohio, for his work as a member of the Delaware HIV Consortium's policy committee;
Stephanie Zilora, a senior biotechnology major from Pennfield, N.Y., for her work planning events and leading participation as president of UD's Pro Life Vanguard;
Caitlin McElrath, a senior health and exercise physiology major from Saugerties, N.Y., for her more than 300 hours of work with the Easter Seals early intervention program;
Somera Ahmed, a senior in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) from Newark, Del., for her administrative projects work at Hartland Hospice;
Michelle Capaldi, a junior communication major from Newark, Del., for her work as a personal mentor to students from low-income households at Henry M. Brader Elementary School;
Emily Poag, a master's degree candidate in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) from Charlotte, N.C., for her work as a mentor for third-grade students with academic and social issues at Henry M. Brader Elementary School;
Shermica Samuel, a freshmanUniversity Studies major from Newark, Del., for her continuing work as a mentor and friend for a student at risk at Henry M. Brader Elementary School;
Timothy Soper, a master's degree candidate in public administration from Wilmington, Del., for his work as a bilingual mentor and academic tutor at Henry M. Brader Elementary School;
Cara Lofaro, a senior foreign languages and literatures and political science and international relations double major from Newark, Del., for her work with Literacy Volunteers Serving Adults teaching basic reading and English as a second language skills;
Leah Colley, a sophomore geography major from Downingtown, Pa., for her work as treasurer of the Lutheran Campus Ministry and for her participation in the Fellowship in Serving the Hungry (FISH) project with Lutheran Community Services;
Marissa Gilinsky, a sophomore animal science major from Point Pleasant, N.J., for her work as secretary of the Lutheran Campus Ministry and for her participation in the Fellowship in Serving the Hungry (FISH) project with Lutheran Community Services;
Danielle Swanson, a sophomore art history and art conservation double major from Glenmont, N.Y., for her participation in the Fellowship in Serving the Hungry (FISH) project with Lutheran Community Services;
Isaac Bennett, a sophomore biological sciences major from Clarks Summit, Pa., for his volunteer work at the Newark Manor Nursing Home through the Making Doctors club;
Jenna Logan, a senior nursing major from Newark, Del., for her four years of presenting wellness programs as a Promoters of Wellness (POW!) peer educator at UD;
Kelly Moltzen, a senior nutrition and dietetics major from Harriman, N.Y., for her work as a Promoters of Wellness (POW!) peer educator and her role in organizing the Dining Services Green Team and World Health Day events;
Lauren Stotz, a junior political science and international relations major from New Castle, Del., for her volunteer work at Wilmington's Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation;
Lauren Gibson, a senior criminal justice major from Wilmington, Del., for her volunteer work presenting educational programs across campus with Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.);
Teryl Bubar, a senior nursing major from North Andover, Mass., for her volunteer work presenting educational programs across campus with Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.);
Allison Stoklosa, a sophomore biological sciences major from Newtown, Pa., for her work as a volunteer and new member mentor at Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research Inc.;
Charles Mitchell, a junior civil engineering major from Salisbury, Md., for his work as a regular volunteer and ambulance driver with the UD Emergency Care Unit;
Yinan Chen, a doctoral candidate in international relations and political science, for her work researching Chinese companies and translating materials into Chinese for the World Trade Center Delaware to help expand markets overseas;
Megan Cleary, a senior political science and international relations major from Harrisburg, Pa., for her research projects and Spanish translations for the World Trade Center Delaware;
Emily Halle, a senior political science and international relations major from Storrs, Conn., for her research and organizational work with the World Trade Center Delaware;
Sendy Delgado, a senior political science and international relations major from the Dominican Republic, for her research and organizational work with the World Trade Center Delaware;
Adam Davis, a senior English major from Middletown, Del., for writing promotional materials for events and working in customer service for the World Trade Center Delaware;
Adam Herman, a master's degree candidate in organizational effectiveness, development and change from Jackson, N.J., for his work in planning, creating and organizing a strategic plan with the Board of Governors for the YMCA Resource Question.
The Town and Gown Community Service Awards event and reception were coordinated by staff from UD's Bank of America Career Services Center. Career Services actively helps UD students find rewarding volunteer positions in the greater Newark area by sponsoring an annual Volunteer Fair each fall, listing volunteer opportunities on its Web site, [www.udel.edu/csc/volopp.html], and leading workshops on volunteerism.
Article by Nicolette Blubaugh
Photo by Duane Perry