Annual American Humanics Dinner honors students
The 29th annual dinner to honor Arizona State University’s American Humanics student achievements was held on April 29 at the Wyndham Phoenix Hotel. The theme of the night was “One Voice, Many Missions: The artistry of the nonprofit sector,” which calls acknowledgement to the numerous people that contribute in various ways to the nonprofit sector.
The keynote speaker was Patrick McWhortor, President and CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, who shared some inspirational thoughts on how this year’s graduates will impact the nonprofit sector.
Student awards:
• Jaclyn Goris won the Camelback Kiwanis Award, which honors a returning American Humanics student who has provided outstanding leadership and potential in the nonprofit field.
• Emily Curry was awarded the Second Annual American Humanics Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship funded and awarded by AH alumni. The recipient is chosen based on his or her contribution to American Humanics, and the recipient’s ability to demonstrate utilization of his or her unique talents to benefit and strengthen the nonprofit sector.
• Jenna Schaefer was awarded the Graduating Senior Director’s Award, which honors a graduating American Humanics student who has provided exemplary leadership and maintained academic excellence.
• Candida Henriquez received the American Humanics Management Institute Director’s Award, which honors a returning student for his or her emerging leadership to support the Annual American Humanics Management/Leadership Institute (AHMI) campaign. This award provides support for the annual Management Institute in the name of a deserving undergraduate student through a financial contribution made in his or her name to the AHMI campaign.
• Samuel Richard earned the George F. Miller Outstanding Student Award, named in memory of the ASU American Humanics program founder, honoring an American Humanics student who displays exemplary qualities of leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to the youth and human service organization field.
• Kristina Oniszko won the Jack Armstrong Scholarship, which is awarded to a deserving undergraduate student in honor of Jack Armstrong, the founding Executive Director of American Humanics at Arizona State University. The scholarship was established by the First Gen AH Alumni, family and friends of Jack Armstrong.
Graduating seniors honored at the dinner: Frank Carbone, Ashley Collins, Traci Cowley, Emily Curry, Lauren Dunning, Jaclyn Goris, Candi Henriquez, Stanley Hopkins, Casey Johnson, Michal Kempton, Rachael Mangum, Erika Moore, Kristina Oniszko, Jonathan Pasquinelli, Alexandra Paul, Andrea Payne, Samuel Richard, Jenna Schaefer, and Jennifer Speer.
Stacey Freeman, Sr. Program Coordinator for ASU American Humanics, feels this dinner is a much needed reward for students who have accomplished so much throughout the year.
“They are strong leaders and will positively impact the nonprofit sector for many years to come,” says Freeman. “They are dedicated to making a difference in the social sector, and that is why I love my job!”
Dr. Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director for ASU American Humanics, and professor of nonprofit studies in the School of Community Resources and Development says that ASU AH students are known as difference makers.
“They not only excel as students in the classroom and as campus leaders, but as actively engaged citizens in their communities,” Ashcraft says. “More importantly, as alumni of the nation’s top ranked AH program they graduate as the best educated and most informed nonprofit leaders and managers available in the social sector today.”
Founded in 1980, ASU American Humanics is a program of the ASU College of Public Programs, in association with the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. ASU is one of the leading programs in the nation, preparing future nonprofit professionals to work with America’s youth and families. Students pursuing American Humanics certification must complete various co-curricular requirements including active participation in the student association, 18 credit hours of in-class coursework, and a 12 credit hour internship. For more information, visit: http://www.asu.edu/copp/nonprofit/edu/ah.htm.
Ashley Gilliam, ashley.gilliam@asu.edu
ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation