Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
April 16, 1999
First recipient of new volunteer award named
The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences has named the winner of its first-ever Student Volunteer Award.
Darlene "Dee" Cober, a mature student in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, was awarded the honour by a special selection committee for her exemplary work at A Community for Offender Reconciliation and Diversion (ACORD) in Guelph.
Cober, who graduates in June, began as a part-time student when her three children were young. She enrolled full-time when here children (now 8, 11 and 14 years old ) began school. She chose to study family and social relations because of a lifelong dream to become a counsellor. She also loves working with people. "Everyone has a story to tell, and I like hearing them," she said.
Cober, a Guelph native, will be recognized at the annual College awards ceremony and have her name inscribed on a plaque to be displayed in the Family and Consumer Studies building. A lunch will also be held in her honour with Michael Nightengale, Dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, a representative from the Guelph-Wellington Network for Volunteer Administration and Theresa Firestone, vice-president of government and public affairs at Pfizer Canada in Montreal.
The award was inspired by Firestone, a 1978 graduate of the Department of Family and Consumer Studies. During her years at Guelph, Firestone was actively involved in the community, investing upwards of 30 hours a week in volunteer activities.
To quality for the award, students must be full-time undergraduates or graduate students in the College and have completed a minimum of 15 credits with a minimum 70-per-cent cumulative average. They may apply on their own, or be nominated by other students, faculty or members of non-profit groups or organizations.
"So many students recognize the intrinsic value of volunteerism both from an academic and a personal point of view," said Kate Revington, a program and placement counsellor in the College's Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition. "The Student Volunteer Award will recognize this effort and support the College's belief that voluntarism and one's education go hand in hand."
Contact: Kate Revington, program counsellor
Family Relations and Applied Nutrition
(519) 824-4120 Ext. 3280/6757
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs, Ext. 3338
