VCU news

By Mike Porter

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has honored Virginia Commonwealth University’s ASPiRE (Academic Scholars Program in Real Environments) program as one of seven winners of the 2014 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards.

The awards recognize outstanding volunteer efforts by individuals and organizations to impact the lives of people across Virginia. Recipients were celebrated during a ceremony yesterday at the Governor’s Mansion.

“Each of these awardees has given of their time to make life better in their corner of the commonwealth,” McAuliffe said. “It is my honor to celebrate these exceptional groups and individuals, who should be an example for all of us of what Virginians can achieve when we work together for the common good.”

VCU ASPiRE received the 2014 Outstanding Educational Institution Volunteer Program Award.

In nominating ASPiRE for the award, Lynn Pelco, Ph.D., associate vice provost of community engagement at VCU, noted that the program enrolls undergraduates who commit to completing nine hours of academic coursework and at least 100 hours of off-campus service for at least four semesters.

Between August and December 2013 alone, ASPiRE students contributed more than 7,500 service hours to the Richmond community.

"This honor affirms that the VCU ASPiRE  living-learning community offers a unique community engagement approach that contributes to our community in a meaningful way while providing extraordinary learning opportunities for our students that equips them to be active citizens - now and as VCU alumni in their future communities,” said Cathy Howard, Ph.D., vice provost of the Division of Community Engagement.

The ASPiRE living-learning community, which launched at the start of the fall semester in 2012,  is focused on bringing together students from a variety of disciplines who share an interest in community engagement. The students live in the West Grace Street Student Housing-South residence hall, take four semesters of community engagement coursework and participate in community service projects together.

Last year, ASPiRE students, along with students from the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture, were recognized with a Democracy Cup award in 2013 for their voter registration efforts. ASPiRE students were also recognized by the Richmond City Council in 2013 for their community service efforts.  

“We’re 19 months old,” said Mary Slade,Ph.D., executive director of VCU ASPiRE. “And just look at everything they’ve accomplished in a short time. This first class leaves a legacy for any VCU student who wants to do community engagement and lead a life of civic responsibility.”

The Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards are presented by the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism and VDSS’ Office on Volunteerism and Community Service on behalf of the Office of the Governor. These awards have recognized exceptional volunteer service in Virginia for more than 20 years. Additional information about the program and full bios on this year’s recipients can be found online at http://www.vaservice.org/go/volunteer/governors_volunteerism_awards/.

 

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