OSU students recognized as next generation civic leaders

Friday, April 5, 2013

Three sophomores, Jarrod Warnock at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Kelly Everhart at OSU-Oklahoma City, and Tami Gorton at the OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, have been selected for the Newman Civic Fellow Award for their public problem-solving and community leadership skills.

Campus Compact, a national coalition of college and university presidents, annually presents the award to students throughout the country who are nominated by the president of their university or institute for making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves and social issues while working for positive and lasting change.

“These students serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building stronger communities,” said Campus Compact President Maureen Curley.

Jarrod Warnock, from Lubbock, Texas, is majoring in biochemistry at OSU and is actively involved in sustainable programs to improve people’s lives at the state and local levels, logging more than 300 hours of volunteer service. He has played an active role and led community service cleanup events, including the annual “Into the Streets” event to help Stillwater citizens. Warnock also helps train students to lead the program.  His experience will help him plan and implement larger events. Warnock’s volunteer work has also contributed to increased interaction and service between the campus and city offices including the city manager, police, code enforcement, and marketing.

Kelly Everhart, an Oklahoma City native, is majoring in crime victims/survivor services at OSU-Oklahoma City, where she is involved in advocacy efforts for victims of crimes. Through her volunteer service and  learning projects, Everhart provided support and facilitation while involved in child socialization groups and the Economic Empowerment Program at the YWCA. She worked with the district attorney’s office as lead coordinator for the 2012 National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims in Oklahoma County. Everhart now works for the Good Samaritans of Oklahoma County within the Oklahoma City Police Department’s Victim Services Program. As a student, Everhart serves as vice-president of the Student Association for Victim Interests and Empowerment, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.   

 

Tami Gorton from Glenpool is majoring in education at the OSU Institute of Technology where she has a 3.8 cumulative GPA. She served in the U.S. Air Force and saw the country through the terrible events of 9/11. For more than 13 years, Gorton was also an active member of Camp Fire USA, serving as an officer and on the board of directors, as well as training camp counselors in various areas with emphasis on a safe environment for children. She has worked with local police to lead anti-drug and violence conferences in Tulsa, where she was also part of the Take Back Tulsa organization dedicated to rejuvenating the city. Gorton has served as a Make a Wish Foundation volunteer, helping with fundraisers to benefit charities in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. She has also served with St. Jude’s and Jerry’s Kids (Muscular Dystrophy Association), raising approximately $50,000 for childhood disease research.

Newman Civic Fellow awards are made in memory of Dr. Frank Newman, a founder of Campus Compact, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform. At the core of Dr. Newman’s leadership was a belief in the power of individuals to make a difference and in the power of connection with others.

Campus Compact honored 181 Newman Civic Fellows this year from 36 states. The Newman Civic Fellow Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation. For a full list of the 2013 Newman Civic Fellows, please go to:  http://www.compact.org/initiatives/awards-programs/the-frank-newman-leadership-award/the-2013-newman-civic-fellows/.