NEW ROCHELLE, NY — During The College of New Rochelle’s (CNR) Founder’s Day Luncheon on October 22, 2015, four CNR students were presented with Serviam Awards for outstanding community service: Kevona Jackson (Yonkers, NY) School of Arts & Sciences, Andrea Restrepo (Bronx, NY) School of Nursing, Contrina Weather (Mount Vernon, NY) School of New Resources, and Phillip Hankins (Bronx, NY) Graduate School.
Established by the Ursuline Institute and continued by the College, the annual awards honor those students who best embody the Ursuline philosophy of Serviam (I will serve) and support the College’s mission of education for service. The College’s emphasis on service is reflected in the high level of student service involvement. For the past five years the College has been named to the President’s Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.
Elaine White, Vice President for Student Services The College of New Rochelle, presented the awards, which honor extraordinary volunteer service to family, church, school, community, and/or society.“Education for service lies at the heart of our mission,” said White, “Opportunities for engagement in various forms of service can be found on all of our campuses. These students are true examples of the mission.”
This year’s recipients include:
Kevona Jackson SAS‘18, School of Arts & Sciences
Kevona Jackson is self-driven and has a tremendous commitment to service. She is an active member of the College Community and holds leadership positions in several student organizations. As vice president of the newly reconstituted Black Student Union, she works to raise awareness of various cultural and social issues. Through her work tutoring, mentoring, and providing childcare to children with Family Services of Yonkers, she has helped numerous children grow into responsible and successful teenagers.
Contrina Weather SNR‘18, School of New Resources
Contrina Weather works extensively with senior citizens, regularly taking isolated seniors to appointments and assisting them in carrying out basic tasks of everyday life. She also works with the homeless, providing them with food and clothing and has served as a foster and adoptive parent for the last ten years. “As we continue to care and provide for seniors, the homeless, children, and the less fortunate, others will see the need for change and become willing participants in making a difference,” Weather explains.
Andrea Restrepo SN‘16, School of Nursing
To Andrea Restrepo, nursing and service go hand in hand. She believes that nursing does not simply take place at the bedside, but involves care of the whole person. Now in her senior year, she serves as president of the Student Nurses Association and is currently working on numerous events to raise awareness of domestic violence, including partnering with CNR’s Office of Counseling and Health Services and the One Love Foundation.
Phillip Hankins GS‘16, Graduate School
Phillip Hankins, a committed educator, lives with the challenges of Tourette Syndrome and is a tireless advocate for children who are faced with the challenges the condition presents. A member of the Tourette Syndrome Association for 35 years, Hankins has partnered with Weill Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, the New York City Department of Education, the Bronx Defenders, and the Association for Child Services to ensure that young people with Tourette’s receive the support and services they need. He has drafted and finalized many motions on behalf of children with Tourette Syndrome and organized demonstrations to improve conditions for them.