Nonprofit students awarded for community service

 by Karen Michelle Sarver
 published on Thursday, April 24, 2008

Photo courtesy of Amy Cox O'Hara

GIVERS: 2008 ASU American Humanics student award winners (from left to right) Caitlin Gizler, Megan Pfleiger, Ali Rosenbloom and Jenna Schaefer were recognized at the program’s 28th annual dinner, held April 22 at the Arizona Club in downtown Phoenix.

Five ASU American Humanics, or AH, students were honored with scholarship awards Tuesday evening at the 28th annual American Humanics recognition dinner held at the Arizona Club.

The students who received awards were Jenna Schaefer, Megan Trombetta, Megan Pfleiger, Ali Rosenbloom and Caitlin Gizler.

A national certification in American Humanics can be earned in conjunction with any baccalaureate degree.

The certificate, which requires at least 30 credit hours (including 12 hours earned in an internship), offers students the opportunity to prepare to work in youth and human services organizations in the nonprofit sector.

Aside from coursework, American Humanics students participate in fundraising events, retreats and service-learning projects.

Over spring break, seven American Humanics students completed service projects in hurricane-wrecked New Orleans. Closer to home, other students in the program took part in the March of Dimes' "Walk for Babies" fundraiser and Tempe's Ironman Arizona.

During the spring semester, 11 students volunteered at Downtown Urban Community Kids, "a faith-based, after-school program in downtown Phoenix," said Stacey Freeman, American Humanics senior program coordinator.

"This year's student award recipients are all very special," Freedman said in a news release. "I know each one of them is going to be a very successful nonprofit leader in the future."

According to an e-mail from Amy Cox O'Hara, spokeswoman for ASU's Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, said ASU's American Humanics was founded in 1980 as part of the College of Public Programs, in association with her organization.

The center's mission "is to help build the capacity of the social sector by enhancing the effectiveness of those who lead, manage and support nonprofit organizations," O'Hara said.

O'Hara said the "event also highlighted the contribution of Jack Armstrong, former president of American Humanics and founder of the program at ASU; and Dr. Robert F. Ashcroft, director of the program at ASU for 25 years."

She said Ashcroft thanked Armstrong as well as community and University leaders for their confidence in his ability to "guide the program into the future."

Reach the reporter at: ksarver@asu.edu.