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Andi Cochran wanted to spend her final months before college investing in a worthwhile project, so when the incoming ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ freshman used her high school graduation money to buy toys for patients at Duke Children’s Hospital, she knew her actions represented more than a gift – they were a “thank you” to an institution that touched her own life.

Mary Leigh Frier and Rebekkah Goodman-Williams have joined the Kernodle Center for Service Learning staff in the positions of associate director and North Carolina ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Compact VISTA, respectively.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars selected Elon to be one of five recipients of its inaugural Higher Education Civic Engagement Award in June. President Leo M. Lambert will accept the award on Elon’s behalf at a Washington Center gala in October.

Professors and staff from universities across North America will be meeting over the next two years to participate in an ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ-sponsored seminar to develop and research methods for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ students how to think in ways appropriate to democratic societies.

The National Society for Experiential Education has named ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ President Leo M. Lambert the winner of an inaugural award for his contributions to experiential education. Lambert, one of 29 nominees for the honor, will receive the William M. Burke Presidential Award for Excellence in Experiential Education this fall at the society’s annual conference in Dallas.

Rebekah James ‘09 will serve for the next year as a member of the AmeriCorps*VISTA Program at Northern Kentucky University, assisting the university in implementing an organized co-curricular community service/volunteerism area.

Dozens of students are taking part in four service trips organized for Spring Break 2009, the Kernodle Center for Service Learning has announced, with efforts along the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast, the Domincian Republic and Honduras.