Good as Gold Ceremony honors campus and community volunteers

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 10-16), the University of Illinois Springfield and the Junior League of Springfield hosted the Springfield Good as Gold Ceremony, a recognition event to acknowledge community members and organizations for their volunteer efforts. The ceremony took place on Tuesday, April 12, in the lobby of the Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus. More than 40 people were recognized during the event for their achievements and efforts.

UIS honored one staff member and one student who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service and volunteerism with the UIS Star Staff and UIS Star Student award. Esther Ellison, a senior social work major was the recipient of the UIS Star Student Award. Normajean Niebur, an Office Support Specialist for the Criminal Justice Department received the UIS Star Staff Award. Other UIS staff nominees included Neil Headman, Julie Perino, Christina Ryan, and Pamela Salela. Several UIS students were also honored with Outstanding Community Service Awards for their volunteer efforts in the community.

The Junior League recognized the Animal Protective League with their Organization Agent of Service Award; Tricia Hopkins-Price was given the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award; James R. Davis, II was awarded the Youth Volunteer Award; and Holly Kathleen Sias was recognized as the Outstanding High School Community Volunteer Award Winner.

Five nominees for the Distinguished Volunteer Award were acknowledged during the event with a short presentation. The nominees included Daniel Cadigan, Erica Christell, George Rose, Jerry Schwartz, and Herman Senor. The winner of the 2011 Good as Gold Distinguished Volunteer Award was Daniel Cadigan.

Twenty-five local volunteers were also honored with the Heart of Gold Award. Recipients included: Les Carlson, Jane Carlson, Kim Carter-Parker, Karen Corrigan, Carol Diedrichson, Melanie Eades, Phil Harris, James Howard, Barbara Kern, Karen Kloppe, Angela Lyons, Joey McLaughlin, Carol Saltsgaver, Patricia Schuhardt, Renee Scott, Earlene Stoeckel, Carol Strick, Sharon Shoemaker-Turley, Mary Vasconcelles, Monica Walls, Diana Wasem, Gary Wilhoit, Rev. Sam Winger, Mary Yates, and Elaine Young.

For more information about the event, please visit www.uis.edu/volunteer, email volunteer@uis.edu or call 217/ 206-7716.