BG student receives Ping Student Services Award

BOWLING GREEN, O.—A Bowling Green State University junior majoring in social work has received the Charles J. Ping Student Services Award from the Ohio Campus Compact.

Bowling Green resident (95 Nottingham) Chelsea Scholl is one of eight students in Ohio to receive a $500 legacy grant to be given to a community organization of her choice. From among the eight Ping Award winners, she was chosen by the Ohio Campus Compact to be the state’s nominee for the National Swearer Award. Both awards recognize students for providing needed service and leadership in their local and campus communities.

Candidates for the Ping Award must be nominated by the president of their college or university and meet certain criteria, which include evidence of exemplary community service during each of the student’s undergraduate years, and service that is connected to academic study or programs with long-term community support. The $500 grants are funded by Fifth Third Bank and State Farm Insurance.

In nominating Scholl for recognition, BGSU President Sidney Ribeau noted that she has devoted a great deal of time to both campus and community, most significantly as a founding member of the Bowling Green Teen Center.

The Teen Center is a cooperative venture between BGSU, the city of Bowling Green, Bowling Green City Schools, Bowling Green City Parks & Recreation and United Way. The center provides a safe space for students ages 11-14 to gather after school, do homework and find a college-age mentor.

“Chelsea was instrumental in getting the Teen Center off the ground,” Ribeau said in his letter of recommendation. “She wrote a grant to Youth Ventures America, which gave the Teen Center money to support fund-raising activities. She spoke to students at Bowling Green to encourage them to enroll in the service-learning course and to volunteer at the center. She provided sofas and rugs (from her own home) to help make sure there were comfortable furnishings for the teens on opening day. And, she has continued to be a spokesperson to various organizations and the news media.”

In addition, the Bowling Green High School graduate works part-time with mentally challenged adults through the Wood Lane social service agency.

“Chelsea epitomizes the spirit of service that I am proud to say is a growing trademark of the student experience at Bowling Green State University,” Ribeau noted.

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(Posted April 30, 2008 )