The Chacivity Award was created in 2004–2005. Its name is composed from “character, civility, and integrity.” This award is designed to recognize students who exhibit behavior(s) that are uplifting to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania community by displaying courage, civility, leadership, integrity, and initiative.
To date, 154 students have received the award, including the following:
Sarah Blantz
Sarah Blantz has taken on more than her share of responsibilities as a community assistant (CA) at IUP. Sarah is a CA in Stephenson Hall, where she serves as a role model to residents in the community and her fellow staff members. Sarah takes the initiative in many projects and programs, and aids her peers in achieving their own goals. She has been an integral part of the Stephenson staff, and is always willing to help others with their programming efforts even when she knows her time is limited and she has other obligations. Sarah also reaches out to staff when she sees them struggling or having an off day. Sarah is a very caring and compassionate individual. An example of this is evident in something a staff member told me: “Sarah B. noticed I was having a rough week, and sent me a message telling me she was here for me if I needed anything. It made my week so much better. I’m not sure she realizes how much it helped me get through the week.” Sarah never seeks recognition for the work she does nor the help she offers. Often, she does not even recognize how phenomenal the work that she does is! Sarah has created amazing flyers, posters, door decorations, etc., for the Stephenson community throughout the year. She never does less when she has the opportunity to do more. I believe this is a genuine example of her character and integrity. In addition to these examples, I would like to offer one more. Sarah frequently attends Residence Hall Council (RHC) meetings to serve as a resource to the young leaders on the council in the Stephenson community. Recently, she volunteered to help the RHC with Stephenson Hall’s Community of the Year (COY) bid as CA representative. As the bid was being compiled, her peers viewed Sarah as the point person even though she had never participated in the COY process. Sarah was very busy with her courses and CA responsibilities, but still took the time to lead her younger peers to complete the bid. It is without doubt that I feel Sarah Blantz is deserving of the Chacivity award for her leadership, initiative, and encouraging behaviors.
Saysha Cabodevilla
I have watched Saysha Cabodevilla grow into a confident young professional during the past three years. In addition to her coursework, she immersed herself in our campus PR organization (PRSSA) to help further her career and to mentor junior Journalism majors, and, aside from that, she started a club on campus called the Organization of Women Looking for Sisterhood in Chi Upsilon Sigma. The acronym is O.W.L.S. in CUS. The purpose of the group is to offer the opportunity for interested students to personally acquaint themselves with fellow members, members of Chi Upsilon Sigma, and the organization, as well as with Greek Life. The ideals set forth to the members of O.W.L.S. in CUS are: achieve academic excellence, promote and gain a greater appreciation of various cultures, enhance leadership skills through fundraising and community service activities, and become a productive member of their respective colleges or universities and the community at large. I remember Saysha coming to me shortly after she began her educational career at IUP to tell me that she was leaving, because she felt as though she “didn’t belong here,” as an Hispanic female. I encouraged her to network and create communities in which she did feel comfortable. I encouraged her to become a leader and foster an inclusive environment, and that i what she did! She is an amazing young woman, and I believe she exemplifies what the Chacivity Award aims to promote.
Bethany Clifford
Bethany Clifford has been willing to serve on last-minute boards as needed. Bethany has been willing to serve regardless of any recognition—this is the true test of a civic leader. She has been dutiful in carefully considering cases. Bethany is recognized as a model board member by other students. As of the writing of this nomination, she has served on eleven total boards (ten judicial boards and one recognized organization review board) thus far this academic year. She served on three judicial boards and one recognized organization review board in the Fall 2010 semester and seven judicial boards in the Spring 2011 semester. That is above and beyond the call of duty as a student board member.
Tiffany Dyer
Tiffany has taken a lead role in bringing to IUP our first Lavender Graduation this spring. Lavender Graduation is an opportunity for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc., to be recognized in their own departure ceremony by the friends and faculty at IUP who have supported them through their college years. Tiffany shows courage and efforts at not just including, but celebrating the accomplishments of LGBT students at IUP, and for that I think she deserves an award.
Lauren Hillegas
Lauren Hillegas has been willing to serve regardless of any recognition—this is really the true test of a civic leader. She has been dutiful in carefully considering cases. Other students recognize Lauren as a model board member. As of the writing of this nomination, Lauren has served on fourteen total boards thus far this academic year. This is inclusive of six judicial boards during the Fall 2010 semester and five judicial boards and three recognized organization review boards during the Spring 2011 semester. That is above and beyond the call of duty as a student board member.
Sabrina LeDonne
Sabrina is the Biology tutor at IUP’s Punxsutawney campus. She is very dedicated to helping her fellow students get through this very difficult class. She often gives up her free time and breaks to help her fellow students, even though she not only is a full-time student, but also works another job and is a single mother. Despite these constraints on her time, Sabrina has prepared worksheets for the students, set up a webpage for Biology tutoring, and was essential in the organization of the Biology Club here at the Punxsutawney campus. She also maintains several animals in our biology lab, and has given demonstrations to different groups on the biology of these animals. Sabrina goes out of her way almost daily to assist other students. She not only tutors Biology, but also teaches study techniques, and often helps fellow students with other class work. Sabrina’s dedication to tutoring and helping others has benefited many of the students here at the Punxsutawney campus.
Helen Pennypacker
Helen continues to amaze me every day with her ability to balance her academic expectations and personal values. As the co-adviser for the senior national honor society student organization, Mortar Board, I witness Helen carrying the team through her positive attitude and through her ability to motivate all twenty members. It is more than her ability to meet all her expectations, but her drive to succeed further. She is finding new community service opportunities for the group to get involved with, and you can be sure that she will volunteer for whatever task when participation is lacking. What strikes me as unique about Helen is that she never complains about her obligations or lifestyle. As a senior Education major in the middle of her student teaching, Helen has transformed her lifestyle to ensure that her class will have energetic and entertaining lesson plans the following morning. She has the ability to juggle a professional life and personal life, which many of us forget to do. I believe Helen is a role model, if only for having this type of passion and dedication to others. She is an inspiration to many on the campus of IUP.
Gabrielle Pugh-White
Gabrielle Pugh-White has been willing to serve on last-minute boards as needed. She has been willing to serve regardless of any recognition—this is the true test of a civic leader. Gabrielle has been dutiful in carefully considering cases. She is recognized as a model board member among other students. As of the writing of this nomination, Gabrielle has served on ten total boards thus far this academic year; that includes five judicial boards and one recognized organization review board during the Fall 2010 semester and four judicial boards during the Spring 2011 semester. That is above and beyond the call of duty as a student board member.
Nick Roberto
Nick is a CA for the Punxsutawney campus and joined the staff mid-year last year. What makes Nick stand out from his job and everyone else is that he always goes above and beyond in what ever he does! There have been times where Nick stayed up all night when a student was in the hospital waiting for them to call so he can pick them up. This wasn’t required of Nick, but he thought he would help as he has a car. When needing volunteers to cover extra duty shifts or assignments, Nick is always first to volunteer for them. Nick knows the majority of our residents and is always willing to jump in and help them with anything they need. Not only is Nick a CA, but he is actively involved with other organizations on campus. He is definite leader on the campus. Nick is a dedicated IUP student who wants his fellow students to do well. Nick also tends to make his programs educational, as he wants to help others learn about diversity and other important topics. He is a definite model IUP student who deserves to be recognized.
Bobby Ratcliffe
This past spring break, Bobby Ratcliffe was a student on an Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans that I was advising. I believe that all fifteen students deserve recognition for that fact alone; however, Bobby stood out to me from this trip for a few reasons. Bobby has been on my staff for the past year, and I have grown to know and expect his quiet leadership style. This trip Bobby was just the opposite. Bobby was instrumental in assisting both the student leader and me with navigating and other various jobs needed to get through the week safely, like leading groups throughout the streets during Mardi Gras. The time that sticks out in my mind the most was when one of the vans was in a car accident. The van was totaled, and Bobby immediately rose to the occasion and assisted me with getting everything in order. Bobby was the first one to notice the van was leaking fluids and helped everyone get out of the van. As my student leader accompanied the injured to the hospital, he was instrumental in assisting me with necessary phone calls. Bobby contacted the towing company and was able to navigate them to the scene as soon as possible. Bobby remained calm and truly shined as a stand-out leader. Without Bobby, I am not sure if I would have been able to handle this situation, and I am so thankful to have had him be a part of this experience.
Allison Shumar
As an English Education student, Ms. Shumar has shown herself to be not only a fine student, but also a fine young woman, willing to go beyond what is expected of her both in and outside of the classroom. While I have had Ms. Shumar as a student, I have also worked with her in my capacity as adviser for NCTE-IUP, IUP’s student affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English. The leadership that she provided for this group was exemplary. She assisted the English department with planning and implementing the annual Celebrating Literacies, a conference for area high school students and their teachers, designing a poster to advertise NCTE-IUP and presenting a workshop for one of the sessions. Last spring, she helped organize a spring get-together for English Education students and students in the B.A. program. In this role, she made arrangements for food and a place for the event. She also assisted with fund-raising activities throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. This year, she has continued to help with NCTE-IUP, even though she student-taught in the Fall and is finishing her B.A. degree this Spring. Again, she is helping with Celebrating Literacies, having designed and printed the program, and will be helping with the conference by planning and assisting with set-up and registration. Aside from this work, Ms. Shumar has shown her willingness to help in other ways. Before this semester began, I invited Ms. Shumar to do a workshop on the use of an interactive white board for English Education faculty. She conducted an hour-long workshop on this technology, providing us with handouts and many ways to integrate this technology into our teaching. I have always found Ms. Shumar to be generous with her time and expertise and gracious in accepting responsibilities. Everything she does is completed with skill—and with a smile.
Eric Zarzeczny
This past spring break I had the pleasure of advising a group of students who went to New Orleans for a week of service and personal growth. I was able to share the leadership role with the student leader Eric Zarzeczny. Eric showed amazing leadership throughout the trip, and absolutely went above and beyond his role. He would take the extra five minutes to ask everyone what they thought, and used their input to make decisions. Seeing Eric do this, I could tell he was a strong leader who knew that spending a week together 24/7 he would need to allow everyone’s voices to be heard. Eric led the group in reflections, which allowed the students to bond, and, if necessary, he would follow up with anyone who needed it. On our way home, a van was in an accident and five students were sent to the hospital. Eric volunteered to accompany the students in the ambulance and served as a liaison to myself who remained on the scene to take care of other issues. Eric’s presence at the hospital gave me the ease I needed to coordinate the towing of the van as well as finding alternative ways for the rest of the students to get back to IUP. Eric was able to keep me updated and was a support system for those who were at the hospital. As a Nursing major, Eric was able to help students with forms and any questions they may have had. Eric truly shined as a leader, and his actions inspired me to want to continue to do these trips even though we had a tragedy occur. Eric’s leadership was critical in this situation, and he truly was a spotlight of the trip.
