Fourth Annual CCBP Awards Program Recognizes Year’s Best Community-Based Research, April 23, 2010
By Daniel Hollander
Center for Community-Based Partnerships
A crowd of more than 200 heard Dr. Christine Quinn, provost and vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, praise the work of faculty, students and partners engaged in community scholarship at the fourth annual Center for Community-Based Partnerships Awards Luncheon on April 23 at the Hotel Capstone on campus.
The keynote speaker acknowledged work being done in education, community development and research at the University, but also stressed the great need to address growing changes across the state and across the nation. “We, as faculty, staff, students, and members of the community have the responsibility to continuously gather new data and strengthen our capacity to engage the community with scholarship,” she said, demonstrating our relevance to “ever-changing conditions.”
Quinn concluded her address by quoting a UA student involved in a community engagement project: “My involvement [in the Holt Initiative] has renewed my faith in society,” the student said. Quinn went on to say this kind of inspiration and participation by young people is the first step toward transforming lives, transforming the community, and transforming the nation.
More than a dozen research-based posters reflecting some of the winning projects as well as other projects were viewed by attendees before and after the luncheon. Originators of the posters were on hand to explain their work. This effort was led by Tommie Syx of CCBP.
The following 12 projects and/or achievements involving 43 individuals were recognized:
Outstanding Faculty/Staff-Initiated Engagement Efforts
“Computer Training for Persons with Disabilities in West Alabama: A Service-Learning Project,” Dr. Dan Albertson, School of Library and Information Studies, College of Communication and Information Sciences.
“Sociology of HIV/AIDS: A Service-Learning Course in Partnership with West Alabama AIDS Outreach,” Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein, Department of Criminal Justice. College of Arts and Sciences.
“University and Community Joining Forces To Make Science and Math Competitive in Area Schools,” Dr. Martin G. Bakker, Dr. Sherry Nichols, Dr. Jim Gleason, Dr. Cheryl Sundberg, Dr. Aaron Kuntz, Dr. Laura Busenlehner and Dr. Nitin Chopra, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, and Materials Information Technology.
Outstanding Student-Initiated Engagement Efforts
“Druid City Arts Festival,” Beth Hataway, Ryan Davis, Andi Johnson, James Harb and John Michael Murray, Creative Campus.
“Homegrown Alabama: Farmers, Campus and Community Improving Health, the Economy and the Environment,” Erica Smith, Leah Thomas and Andrea Mabry.
“THINK Mentoring Program for Elementary School Students,” David Wilson II, College of Commerce and Business Administration.
Outstanding Community Partner-Initiated Engagement Efforts
“Alabama’s Parenting Assistance Line (PAL),” Patsy Riley, Alabama’s First Lady; Dr. John Ziegler, Alabama Department of Mental Health; and Marian Loftin and Kelley Parris-Barnes, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. Also, Dr. Milla Boschung and Sally Edwards, College of Human Environmental Sciences
“Walker Area Transformational Coalition for Health (WATCH 2010),” Paul W. Kennedy, Walker Area Community Foundation, and Dr. Karl Hamner. UA College of Nursing.
“Holt Community Partnership.” Holt partners: Herman Acker, Linda Acker, Jenny Airne, The Reverend Phil Boyles, Dr. Frank Costanzo, Teresa Costanzo, Cody Frederick, Neal Guy, Dr. Karl Hamner, Lizzie Hannah, Ricky Jenkins, George Lett, Dr. Jeff Parker, Christopher H. Spencer, Sgt. André Thomas, the Rev. H.P. Thomas and Sandra Tittle. UA College of Education Partners: Dr. Elizabeth K. Wilson, Dr. Rick Houser and Kathleen Hughes.
Distinguished achievement award — Campus
Dr. Cassandra E. Simon, School of Social Work, for her editorship of the Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship.
Distinguished achievement award — Community
Mary Allen Jolley, Community Leader, former director of Economic and Community Affairs at The University of Alabama, for her leadership in the “contributions that The University of Alabama has made to lives of the citizens of Alabama over the past five decades.”
Distinguished Special Achievement in the Leadership and Scholarship of Community engagement
Dr. Christine J. Quinn, provost and vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, for her vision, over the past 20 years, of linking the teaching, research and extension of the Wisconsin system with the wisdom of community members in solving problems of interest to both.