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Boston, MA – April 24, 2008 – Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Center for Community and Learning Partnerships celebrated its 5th Annual Dinner on April 22. The event, which was attended by over 150 community partners, students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, and public officials, featured exhibits of service learning projects that have connected faculty, students, and community in hands-on learning opportunities that extend outside of the classroom. These projects are recognized for having a great social impact as they benefit the community, business, students, and the Institute.
(See photos.)
Currently, students are involved with community service learning projects focused on web application development, community design, and sports management and college access. In the past, students have designed a wireless network for use in the local neighborhood, worked on design projects for community visioning and community improvements, and led market research studies.
During the evening, several awards were presented to students, faculty and staff for their commitment to service learning. Student award winners include Austin Joseph Bozek, Jennifer Fruscillo, Austin Lauria, and Justina Peregrin for the Student Leadership in Service Award. This award recognizes the achievements of graduating seniors who have made significant contributions to community and service learning inside and outside of the classroom throughout their college careers.
Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for commitment to service learning include Wentworth’s humanities professor Michael Green and keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, provost of Northern Virginia Community College and former Wentworth professor of management.
Catalyst Awards, which recognize significant faculty contributions to community and service learning program development or innovation, were presented to three members of Wentworth’s architecture faculty - Elizabeth Gibb, Lora Kim, and Mark Pasnik. They were recognized for their commitment and efforts leading students and service projects during winter and spring breaks in New Orleans. Mathematics professor, Amanda Hattaway, received a Catalyst Award for the leadership role she played in developing a summer math bridge program for incoming freshman from underrepresented minorities and for her work with the Students Loving Adventures in Mathematics, a year-long program for high school students focused on strengthening underrepresented minority math achievement.
Finally, the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships presented a certificate of recognition to Massachusetts Campus Compact for exceptional contributions to the advancement of service learning, civic engagement, and college access at Wentworth and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Center for Community and Learning Partnerships
Wentworth’s Center for Community and Learning Partnerships, established in 2003, is the Institute’s hub for community service, service learning and outreach initiatives. The Center facilitates creative activities and programs that address community interest while enhancing the educational experience for our students. The Center is the result of years of faculty, staff, student, and community efforts to create partnerships that address neighborhood concerns, and in the last academic year 24 faculty members included service learning in more than 27 courses reaching well over 500 students, who completed 105,000 hours of service; representing nearly $2.5 million in annual economic impact. Over the past five years this contribution has had a total estimated economic impact of at least $6 million.
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founded in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent, co-educational nationally ranked institution offering career-focused education through 15 Bachelor degree programs in areas such as architecture, computer science and systems, construction management, design, engineering, engineering technology, environmental science, and management. For over a century, Wentworth has been a leader in technical education known for its academic excellence, community service, and support for the economic growth of the region. For more information, please visit www.wit.edu. |
