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WCU Sophomore Is One of the First Recipients
of Newman Civic Fellow Award
May 4, 2011
Michael Jendzurski, a West Chester University sophomore from Oaks, Pa., has been named one of the inaugural Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows for his community engagement. Nationwide, only 135 student leaders received this honor.
College and university presidents from 30 states nominated the most promising student leaders who 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.
An Honors College kinesiology major, Jendzurski is minoring in psychology and communication studies. Treasurer for the Honors Student Association and president-elect for 2011-2012, he earned a 2011 Honors International Research Scholarship to travel to South Africa in March, where he conducted research about the apartheid era and assisted with Cecil Begbie’s H.E.L.P. Ministries soup distribution program in Capetown.
He has also led efforts in raising funds for those afflicted with HIV-AIDS and has given presentations in South Africa on service-learning practices. Using these experiences, he will be collaborating with faculty on a manuscript dealing with “sustained international education.”
In addition to his leadership, he actively participates in countless community building and service activities such as Adopt-a-Block, Light the Night, and Hanging of the Greens.
Jendzurski also plays varsity tennis for West Chester, Ultimate Frisbee at the club level, and is active in intramural sports. In 2010, he was both WCU’s Scholar Athlete of the Year as the top academic on the tennis team and a top male athlete of the University. He volunteers his time weekly to coach the Spring-Ford High School Tennis Team.
A skilled percussionist and an accomplished pianist, Jendzurski often accompanies friends in vocal performance and played the marimba while in South Africa. Recently, he collaborated with three peers to become the campus winner in the Red Bull Tum Tum Pa World Freestyle Drumming Competition, in which competitors use only school supplies and Red Bull cans to create unique beats.
“Michael Jendzurski demonstrates a well rounded and emerging record of truly outstanding scholarship, leadership and service,” says Kevin Dean, director of the West Chester Honors College. “In many ways he has achieved more as a sophomore than many do in four years.”
“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.
The Newman Civic Fellows Award is named for Dr. Frank Newman, one of the founders of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating opportunities for student civic learning and engagement.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents, representing some six 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.