Denison University senior Caitlin Fondessy, a sociology/anthropology and international studies double major with a Spanish minor from Fostoria, Ohio, has been honored with the 2009 Charles J. Ping Student Service Award by the Ohio Campus Compact.

Accepting the award, Fondessy said, “While at Denison, volunteering has been a crucial part of my life, and it is rewarding to be recognized for all of the hours I have completed. I am happy that as a college student, I have been recognized for making a difference in the community.”

Fondessy has been the president of the Denison Community Association (DCA) and the chair of DCA New Beginnings, a local domestic violence shelter. As president, she oversaw seven other cabinet members, 24 service committees and more than 500 volunteers, and helped to plan campuswide service events and other service projects. Fondessy’s passion, though, is helping for children. She has volunteered at New Beginnings for the last four years and enjoys spending time with the children there. She notes, “Their resiliency never ceases to amaze me.”

Fondessy also has volunteered with Hope for Autism, after-school mentoring and tutoring, DCA Companions, DCA Cabinet and Operation Move-Out. She also has taught Sunday School at St. Edward’s Church in Granville.

The Charles J. Ping Award is designed to recognize and honor undergraduate students’ outstanding leadership and contributions to community service on their campus and within their community. In order to win the award, candidates must show evidence of exemplary community service, especially those efforts that connect service with academic study or programs with long-term community support.

The Ohio Campus Compact is a nonprofit membership organization of 50 Ohio colleges and universities with strong community service, service-learning, and civic engagement programs on their campuses.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575