Service-learning founders honored

Fresno State honored seven individuals and one agency for their outstanding community service at the first Service Awards Reception on May 6.

President Welty recognized the honorees from the campus and community for their roles in helping to found the university’s community service-learning efforts.   Each was presented with a “Founder Award” plaque.  

Welty also thanked the 60 other people who attended and noted that, because of them, Fresno State has become a recognized leader in the field of higher education community service-learning.

“Ultimately, what these founders have done is lay the groundwork for the outstanding contributions each of you is making through your community service endeavors,” Welty told the gathering.

The honorees are:

• Kathy Garabed, executive director of Stone Soup Fresno.
• Don Romsa, director of Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno.
• California Campus Compact, presented to executive director Elaine Ikeda.
• Richard Berrett, Fresno State professor of Child and Family Studies.
• Paul DeRuosi, director of Development and Scholarship Programs in the Student Affairs Division at Fresno State.
• Leonard Salazar, retired associate vice president and dean of Undergraduate Studies at Fresno State.
• Alexander Gonzalez, former provost at Fresno State and current president at CSU Sacramento.
• Chris Fiorentino, director of Students For Community Service at Fresno State.

“ Fresno State has been blessed with passionate and energetic individuals who are committed to service,” said Welty. “Working together, all of us are a part of a program that has benefited our students, our university and our community in ways too numerous to count.”

There are approximately 80 service-learning courses offered each year at Fresno State.   These courses engage nearly 4,000 students per year in more than 50,000 hours of service.  

Combined with other community service and volunteer efforts, the university is contributing more than 200,000 hours of service every year.

“These service experiences benefit our community, but they also enrich the lives, minds and hearts of the students involved,” said Welty.

Welty also was recognized for his efforts and presented with an appreciation gift by Fiorentino.  

“It was Dr. Welty’s vision over a decade ago to create a culture of service at Fresno State.   He has consistently and strongly demonstrated his commitment to that vision, which is why we now have such an outstanding service program at our university,” said Fiorentino.