Rising Lee University seniors Daniel Murch and Katie Rinaudo, along with associate professor of education Dr. Trish McClung, were recently presented the 2012 Dr. Charles W. Conn Servant Leadership Awards and Dr. Charles W. Conn Service-Learning Faculty Award, respectively, for their exemplary work in service-learning.

The awards were presented during a chapel service on April 24.

Murch played a critical role in the community’s relief response following the April 2011 tornados. He has served as the volunteer coordinator for the recovery process and has been instrumental in both the Unmet Need Committee and Volunteer Committee for the Long-Term Recovery Organization.

Murch has helped host over 25 teams who have traveled throughout Bradley County, coordinating housing, food, and over 150 work projects.

Murch has also been actively involved with the Refuge Community Centre, the Boys and Girls Club and North Cleveland Church of God. He is currently working with local organizations to establish a nonprofit furniture bank to assist families in transition or who have experienced disasters.

“Daniel has shown a consistent willingness and strong drive to accomplish meaningful goals, enabling and inspiring others to cultivate the values and practices of servant leadership in their own lives,” said Rochelle Mayberry, an AmeriCorps VISTA serving in Lee’s Leonard Center.

Rinaudo was honored for her service as a community tutor for the Boys and Girls Club, where she was recognized as volunteer of the year at the Tucker Unit. She has served in multiple leadership roles for Big Pal Little Pal and is beginning her second year as the president of the organization.

Rinaudo has been instrumental in helping to establish Lee University’s Service Council, currently serves as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate leadership course, and will serve as a Gateway peer leader in the fall.

Mayberry adds, “Katie has proven to be a woman of dedication and excellence. She allows her actions and attitudes to speak louder than her words by living a life that is congruent with the morals and faith that she professes.”

Dr. Trish McClung, recipient of the faculty award, joined Lee’s Helen DeVos College of Education in 2002, and received the Excellence in Advising Award in 2010. McClung has taught numerous service-oriented courses including many in her discipline.

She has also embedded service components into her Summer Honors and Global Perspective courses. She is currently conducting research to measure the effects of service-learning on the perceived preparedness of teacher-candidates to work with disabled students, specifically those with Autism.

Alumna Adrienne Hart said of McClung, “She guided me through the process of finding my place and taught me how service could play a role in my everyday life.”

The Charles W. Conn Servant Leadership Awards, which include a scholarship for the student recipients, were established in 2003 to honor President Emeritus Charles W. Conn. As part of the university’s efforts to emphasize the importance of serving others, the awards are given annually to rising seniors who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to service during their time at Lee. Students who receive this scholarship give a portion of the scholarships to a charity of their choice.

Murch and Rinaudo are the eighth group of students to receive this award, while McClung is the fourth faculty member to be honored.