Lebanon Valley College Announces Inaugural Student Innovation Fund Grants

ANNVILLE, PA (02/02/2016)(readMedia)-- Nine Lebanon Valley College student proposals are one step closer to implementation thanks to inaugural Student Innovation Fund grants announced by LVC President Dr. Lewis E. Thayne. Nine grants were awarded to 20 students for projects ranging from sustainability and outdoor appreciation to student programming and the arts.

Similar to the President's Innovation Fund, awarded annually to faculty and staff projects, this fund was launched to encourage student-initiated pilot projects. The selected projects have long-term, wide-reaching potential to foster transformative learning on and off campus.

President Thayne cited that one of the major institutional goals for the College is "to create a demonstrably superior academic and co-curricular experience for our students that prepare graduates for successful performance in the competitive national and international market."

Students were invited to formulate proposals and submit them for review during the fall semester. A total of $25,000 was available in three categories:

- Innovative programming that enhances the educational and/or co-curricular experience of students or programs.

- Strategic focus funding that considers initiatives that incorporate aspects of the Envision 2020 strategic plan.

- Program Enhancement funding intended to improve current programs and/or initiatives.

A summary of the inaugural grants follows:

Artify LVC

Julian Gerace '16, audio and music production and music

Beautifying the walls and public spaces of the College is the goal of this grant. Artify LVC aims to demonstrate the creative skills of students and alumni by placing student work throughout campus and commissioning artists of every kind to create content. This project shows LVC's commitment to encourage learning and growth in all areas of life and it will give confidence to those who display their art.

Dutchmen Day/ValleyFest

Paige Diller '16, accounting and business administration

The new Dutchmen Day/ValleyFest weekend focuses on student satisfaction, engagement, excitement, and community building on campus. In honor of the College's 150th anniversary, Friday's Dutchmen Day will include a "birthday party" and musical acts. Saturday's ValleyFest will include new exciting vendors and a more prominent musical artist.

Freedom Week

Freedom Rings student organization

Freedom Rings sponsors this annual weeklong celebration as a way for the College to become familiarized with the diverse population of the LGBT+ community. The week promotes an education and cultural experience while giving LGBT+ identified students a week to be proud of who they are and to know there are students and staff who support them. The grant would underwrite programming for this year's event, scheduled for March 29 through April 4, to include a Drag Show, guest speakers, and panels on gender and sexuality.

Green Roof

Cooper Gerus '16, politics

This grant will be utilized to explore the potential for a green roof to be installed at Yuhas Commons. Details regarding structural integrity of the building will be examined and could lead to design suggestions. Feasibility and design appropriateness will be submitted for review before construction approval is given. The goal of the project is to inspire mindfulness for the environment among the students and include them in the process of building a sustainable campus.

Human Performance Proposal

Emily Johnson '16, digital communications and global studies

Kyle Murray '17, criminal justice

Sammy Bost '16, health science

Connor Pierce '16, health science

This proposal, sponsored by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, requested funding for new equipment for the Arnold Sports Center fitness facility as the College shifts to research-supported training methods to promote health, wellness, and athletic performance. The addition of new equipment will increase the volume of student-athletes able to train simultaneously, while also providing additional resources to students and community members who utilize the fitness center. Collaborative opportunities would be created for students studying physical therapy, athletic training, and exercise science.

International Food Festival

Hannah Reedy '16, global studies and politics

Haley Patrick '16, business administration

Tara Thapaliya '16, biochemistry & molecular biology

Carrie Pfleiger '16, biology and French

This grant, awarded to the Global Education Club, will be in direct support of this year's International Food Festival. First introduced in Spring 2015, the club requested additional funds to support 20 tables with unique food items, along with information regarding food from that country and takeaway recipe cards. The festival will also include international music, trivia, a study abroad table, and a poster display representing geographical origins of food. In addition to the festival, the Global Education Club plans to create an educational presentation for First-Year Experience courses focusing on why people eat differently and how food represents culture and identity.

Making the Case for Sustainable Agriculture

Victoria Gluszko '16, philosophy

This grant will contribute to the exploration of sustainable agriculture on LVC's campus, starting with the creation of a Sustainable Agriculture Committee. The proposal includes the idea to start with a project similar to a garden that would focus on growing produce and crops that are easy to grow and desirable to Metz and the local community.

Outdoors Gear

Adam Brock '17, digital communications

Haley Dobart '16, digital communications and business administration

The LVC Outdoors Club, launched in 2014, will use this grant to purchase outdoor equipment such as kayaks and hiking gear, which will be made available for students to rent and enjoy. An all-weather storage area, located in the old tack shop at Heisey Farm and will also offer students a place to store their own outdoor equipment that may not fit in a dorm. An electronic rental system is also planned to facilitate the rental process.

Student Office for Inclusive Excellence

Uyen Dang '17, biology

Shannon Kane '16, English

Steph Agudelo '16, criminal justice

Jess McKelvin '16, sociology

Tia Dandridge '18, biology

Neal Rose '17, criminal justice and Spanish

Leaders of student organizations whose mission touches on Inclusive Excellence will collaborate to create the Student Office for Inclusive Excellence, to be located in Miller Chapel Room 114. This office would be utilized for informal socializing, focused meetings, self-expression, safety, and storage. The requested equipment and the design for the space would enhance "personal and professional development and a deep sense of ownership and accountability for the College's success" within student organizations.

About Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts. The College offers 36 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options, as well as graduate degree programs in athletic training, business administration, music education, physical therapy, and science education.

The College has 1,573 full-time undergraduate students and 106 full-time faculty. Students can choose from more than 90 clubs and organizations, and 12 study abroad programs. LVC awards generous academic scholarships to those whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement.