BVU's Student MOVE Holds Volunteer Recognition Dinner

STORM LAKE, IA (05/14/2018) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University's (BVU) student organization, Student MOVE (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts) held the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner on May 7. The event took place in the Dows Event Center in the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business/Siebens Forum on the BVU campus.

Each spring, the event honors BVU students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as community members for their outstanding volunteer service and initiatives.

"The Volunteer Recognition Dinner is an opportunity to recognize people that are rarely noticed for their work of helping others," said Kathryn Tyykila, an elementary education major from Canby, Minn., who helped plan the event.

The individuals honored include:

• First year Volunteer of the Year: Justin Forkpa, a theatre and biomedical sciences double major from Urbandale.

• Sophomore Volunteer of the Year: Kathryn Tyykila, an elementary education major from Canby, Minn.

• Junior Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Miley, a biology major from Independence, Mo.

• Senior Volunteer of the Year: Taylor Loy, a political science and Spanish double major from Indianola.

• Faculty Volunteer of the Year: Dr. Melinda Coogan, professor of biology at BVU.

• Staff Volunteer of the Year: Stephanie Wilhelm, associate chief information officer at BVU.

• Community Organization of the Year: Stars Mentoring – Angie Woodford, coordinator of STARS Mentoring, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

• Alumni Volunteer of the Year: Rahn Franklin, a 2008 graduate of BVU.

• Campus Organization: Beaver Animal Rescue & Care (BARC) – Kayla Sweet, president of BARC and an art major from Spencer, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

"Volunteering is important because it helps those that are struggling and is a great way to give back to a community that helps us," added Tyykila, who is the vice president of volunteer recruitment and retention with Student MOVE as well as the vice president of AWOL (Alternative Week of Off-site Learning).

BVU's Student MOVE organization works to improve lives, foster civic engagement and strengthen the connection between the Storm Lake and University communities. It generates opportunities for BVU students to grow and explore their hidden passions through character-building programs such as service-learning, alternative events, and student education.

About Buena Vista University

Since 1891, Buena Vista University has prepared students for lifelong success and blends liberal arts with real-world applications. Our traditional campus on the shores of Storm Lake hosts students in a variety of majors and pre-professional programs, including elementary, secondary, and special education; business and accounting; and biological and chemical sciences. Our 16 degree-completion locations, online, and graduate programs expand student potential with a pace and academic rigor designed for working adults and a variety of class formats that make scheduling even more convenient. With an average scholarship of more than 50 percent off of tuition, BVU is an affordable option for all students. Visit www.bvu.edu.

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