Ohio Wesleyan University Student Gretchen Curry Receives Newman Civic Fellow Award

DELAWARE, OH (05/02/2011)(readMedia)-- Today, 135 students from 30 states were honored as Newman Civic Fellows by Campus Compact. Among the honorees is Gretchen Curry, a student at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. The Newman Civic Fellows Awards recognize inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.

Dr. Frank Newman-one of the founders of Campus Compact-had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who are eager and prepared to make a difference. He dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform, and he would have been inspired by this first group of 135 Newman Civic Fellows. They are, quite simply, reflections and affirmations of his life's work.

From 30 states, college and university presidents nominated the best-of-the-best college student-leaders. 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.

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

Curry, a junior at Ohio Wesleyan, is constantly and deeply committed to organizing activities concerning social justice issues, including educating others about genocide and fund raising to help Africa's impoverished. A resident of West Hartford, Conn., Curry is a student leader for a campus-wide effort to assist an orphanage in Haiti. She is co-student coordinator of the Women's Resource Center. She lives in and participates in activities of "The House of Peace and Justice" at Ohio Wesleyan. She has been praised for her work tutoring inner-city children.

Ohio Wesleyan President Rock Jones, Ph.D., said Curry's dedication to service and strong leadership skills are well-known on campus.

"Gretchen is committed to making a difference in the world, and she does so every day," Jones said. "She exemplifies the ideals of both Ohio Wesleyan and the Newman Civic Fellows Award. She is a wonderful role model for students everywhere, and we are so proud of her."

Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, colleges are developing students' critical public problem-solving skills such as the ability to research and analyze community needs, a willingness to lead and participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about community challenges, and the ability to inspire people to become part of solutions.

About Ohio Wesleyan University:

Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier small, private universities, with more than 90 undergraduate majors, sequences, and courses of study, and 23 Division III varsity sports. Located in Delaware, Ohio, just minutes north of Ohio's capital and largest city, Columbus, the university combines a globally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities that translate classroom theory into real-world practice. OWU's close-knit community of 1,850 students represents 45 states and 52 countries. Ohio Wesleyan earned a 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in General Community Service, is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives," and is included on the "best colleges" lists of U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Learn more at www.owu.edu.

About Campus Compact:

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents-representing some 6 million students-who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. Through the Newman Civic Fellows Awards, college and university presidents acknowledge students with the ability and motivation to create lasting change in our communities. For more information about the Newman Civic Fellows, visit www.compact.org.

CAMPUS COMPACT NEWS (For a photo of Gretchen Curry, contact Linda O'Horo at Ohio Wesleyan University at 740-203-6909 or laohoro@owu.edu