Mercyhurst College's Hannah Beck receives Newman Civic Award

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HANNAH BECK

ERIE, PA (05/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Mercyhurst College sophomore Hannah Beck of East Brady, Pa., is one of 135 U.S. college students honored as Newman Civic Fellows by Campus Compact, a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents. The award acknowledges student leaders with the ability and motivation to create lasting change in our communities.

Beck, a hospitality management major, is an active environmental steward. As Mercyhurst's Green Team vice president, she is co-directing a first-time duathlon – bike race and run – set for Saturday, May 7, at Presque Isle State Park with proceeds going to the City of Erie for bike racks. Beck is the founder and president of Garden Gurus, a student club devoted to enterprise at the Mercyhurst West campus farm. Among its many projects is providing produce for area farmers markets and donating surplus food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania. She is also planning on instituting a recycling program this summer in her hometown of East Brady.

From 30 states, college and university presidents nominated the best-of-the-best: promising college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research and advocacy, these Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.

"It was a great pleasure to nominate Hannah for this prestigious recognition," said Mercyhurst President Dr. Tom Gamble. "As a 4.0 student and Green Team officer, she exemplifies the virtues of a Newman Civic Fellow in many ways. I am also very proud to note that she embodies that important final phrase of the Mercyhurst mission statement: '...to exercise leadership in service toward a just world.' My heartfelt congratulations to Hannah and to all the Newman Fellows."

"These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders," said Campus Compact President Maureen F. Curley. "They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can - and does play in building a better world."