UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 35, Page 3
June 20, 1996
Volunteer awards ceremony honors student involvement

     An awards ceremony, held in May to honor volunteer service by
members of the University community, recognized two groups- the
Resident Student Association (RSA) and the Volunteer Organization
Involving Community Events (VOICE)-as well as Renee Bednarz, a senior
criminal justice major from Garfield, N.J.
     RSA, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was recognized for a
number of services it provides for students, including refrigerator
rentals, carpet and fruit basket sales and its involvement and
representation on such University committees as housing, Dining
Services, student government and the Faculty Senate. Its Resident
Assistant of the Month and Hall Government of the Month recognition
programs also were cited. During 1995-96, RSA was involved in two
blood drives, an AIDS benefit, alcohol and homeless awareness programs
and Leadership 2000.
     Student volunteers in VOICE spend one evening each week with
Delaware State Hospital patients. During these visits, the patients
interact with the students through socializing, playing cards,
listening to music, conversation and organized parties.
     The program, conducted for nine years, is considered a success
because of the dedication and concern of the student participants, who
recruit new members each year to insure continuation of the service.
     Bednarz received the 1996 award for her work in the Therapeutic
Recreation Department at Delaware State Hospital, where she works
directly with mentally ill adults.
     Volunteering her time weekly, she logged in more than 170 hours
of service and was able to build what she described as a "trusting
relationship with the patients." In a report on her experiences, she
acknowledged that "the greatest irony I have seen while volunteering
is that it benefits the volunteer as much as it does those being
helped. I have made many new friends and new skills, but I have also
increased my self-confidence and formed a different perspective on
life. Ultimately, volunteering has led me to discover more about
myself and what I am capable of doing."
     In a letter of recommendation for Bednarz' application to
graduate school, Jeannine Herrmann, hospital community relations
officer, wrote:
     "Renee has consistently demonstrated a maturity level well beyond
many of the college volunteers I supervise.... She has demonstrated
creativity and initiative in suggesting new remotivation programs for
some of our higher functioning patients."
     During the awards ceremony, Dennis Woolf, father of former
student Nicole Woolf, who was killed in an accident on I-95 two years
ago, presented the Nikki Woolf Award, established in honor of their
daughter, to Bednarz.
     Tim Brooks, dean of students, presented awards to the two
organizations.