University of Mississippi Honours Community and Employee Service

Oxford, Mississippi

On April 16, 2024, the University of Mississippi saluted its students, faculty, and staff for their achievements in community-engaged research, service, scholarship, and learning. This recognition marks the value that the University of Mississippi places on transforming lives, communities, and the world by offering opportunities to the people in Mississippi and beyond, through their excellence in learning, discovery, healthcare, and engagement.

Annual Awards Celebrating and Recognizing Service

According to Castel Swett, director of community engagement, the level of commitment to the community shown by the award recipients is always impressive. The UM Division of Diversity and Community Engagement presented the
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for excellent character and service, the Excellence in Community Engagement Award, and the Community Engaged Development Partnership Fund awards, during a ceremony in the Johnson Commons ballroom.

Recipients of the Sullivan Award

This year’s award recipients were senior political science student Bre’Anna Coleman, junior biochemistry major Kaleb Henry, and Reham Helal from the Office of Pre-College Programs. Coleman was hailed for her dedication to volunteering at the local animal resource centre and educating children with art in the Mississippi Delta. Henry, dubbed a humble servant, was praised for his voluntary work in multiple community projects, including mentorship programmes and youth basketball coaching. Helal was recognised for her work across a wide range of organisations, creating a real impact both locally and globally with her compassionate and empathetic efforts.

Community Partner Award and Newman Civic Fellowship

Leigh Ann Reynolds, director of early childhood education for the Sunflower County Consolidated School District, received the Outstanding Community Partner Award, acknowledging her compassion, integrity, and courage. Elijah Murdyk a doctoral student in clinical psychology, received the Newman Civic Fellowship — a yearly national programme that recognizes students who tackle societal problems in their institutions.

Excellence in Community Engagement Award and Community Partnership Development Fund

“Down in the Delta”, a visual archive detailing the life of former sharecropper Roosevelt Davenport and his family, won the Excellence in Community Engagement Award, which carries a $5,000 cash prize. The award for Excellence in Community Engagement with Distinction went to John Rash and Melanie Ho for their documentary film focusing on environmental justice movements.

Three projects were recipients of The Community Engaged Partnership Development Fund Awards, which focus on supporting partnerships between Ole Miss faculty or students and their community. Among the awarded projects were efforts to increase access to evidence-based therapy across Mississippi, a series of events aimed at educating young people about astronomy and the wonders of STEM careers, and programmes creating supportive environments for law students studying in Oxford.

This year’s Celebration of Service Awards ceremony reflected the University of Mississippi’s commitment to community engagement and served as a reminder of the inspiring efforts of students and faculty members.

Tags:

Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation, Castel Swett, Celebration of Service Awards, Community Engaged Development Partnership Fund, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Elijah Murdyk, Excellence in Community Engagement Award, John Rash, Leigh Ann Reynolds, Melanie Ho, Mississippi, Mississippi Delta, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Oxford, Oxford Animal Resource Center, Southern Documentary Project, Sullivan Award, Sunflower County Consolidated School District, The Movement Starts Here, University of Mississippi, Warren County.