Iowa Campus Compact cites BVU for Engaged Campus Awards

Biology major earns student leadership honor

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Buena Vista University President Dr. Joshua Merchant is shown with Amanda Miley, a BVU biology major, who was presented with the Student Leadership Award by Iowa Campus Compact on Monday.

STORM LAKE, IA (04/29/2019) (readMedia)-- Buena Vista University officials were presented with a pair of Iowa Campus Compact Engaged Campus Awards in a ceremony today at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.

Amanda Miley, a BVU biology major from Independence, Mo., earned the Iowa Campus Compact Award for Student Leadership, which was presented by BVU President Joshua Merchant, Ph.D.

"It's an incredible honor for Buena Vista University and for me, personally, in being able to present to Amanda the Iowa Campus Compact Award for Student Leadership," Merchant said. "It has truly been remarkable to see how Amanda has taken the BVU motto, 'Education for Service,' and literally run with it around the world, scrubbing in for surgical procedures with a medical missionary team in Tanzania, serving and working in homelessness outreach in Washington, D.C., and offering her talents and energy to the World Hunger Relief, Inc., in Waco, Texas, and more."

Earlier this spring, Miley completed her fourth Alternative Week of Offsite Learning (AWOL) service experience, as she spent spring break working in environmental efforts on Catalina Island off the coast of California.

"Many factors led me toward attending Buena Vista University in the first place," says Miley. "I loved the close-knit family atmosphere offered here. I was also very excited about the phenomenal science program that provides opportunities not seen elsewhere; things like the medical mission I did through Hope Ministries in Tanzania, where I got to help with surgical procedures in January."

Miley was also impressed with the number and variety of service opportunities available to BVU students. Her service engagement not only shows in commitments that have taken her to service in Tanzania and across the country, but they occur on and close to the BVU campus where Miley works to better her surroundings by serving as president of BVU's Student MOVE (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts), offering time as a mentor in the BV Buddies effort and in programs such as SCATE (Students Concerned About Tomorrow's Environment), and BARC, the Beaver Animal Rescue and Care.

"Amanda has helped change the institutional culture and has helped change how we talk about our local community," says Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, BVU assistant vice president of student success and director of community engagement.

"I try to do a lot of things on campus," says Miley, who has accumulated more than 1,200 hours of AmeriCorps service since arriving at BVU as a freshman. "It's neat to see students be made aware of areas in which they can make a difference."

BVU's Education for Service Program earned runner-up laurels for Campus Compact's Emerging Innovation Award. This year's freshman cohort of 10 marks the inaugural effort for the program, which offers free tuition in exchange for an annual commitment of 300 hours of AmeriCorps volunteer service in the community for Buena Vista County resident students who represent the first generation of college students in their respective families.

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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