Charles S. Ping Community Service Award- Ohio Campus Compact

The Office of Service-Learning at BGSU nominates a BGSU undergraduate student in March of each year for this award.

2008 Nominee and State Winner - Chelsea School. Junior, Social Work
2007 Nominee and State Winner - Jake Gallardo, Junior, International Studies Major

Award Summary
The Charles J. Ping Award was designed to recognize and honor undergraduate students for their outstanding leadership and contributions to community service OR service-learning on their campus and within their community.  This award can be granted annually to one undergraduate per Ohio Campus Compact member institution.  Those nominated to be a Ping award winner for their campus will compete with other Ping nominees from across the state for a $500 mini-grant, to be given to a community partner of the Ping nominee's choice. Eight (8) grants are available each year thanks to the generous financial support of Fifth Third Bank and State Farm.

The Office of Service-Learning at BGSU manages the selection process and works with the nominee to make sure that all application materials are submitted on time including a letter of nomination from the president.

Candidates should meet the following criteria:
Evidence of exemplary community service during her/his time on campus.  The service should reflect the student’s efforts to meet needs in his or her community. This award recognizes student efforts, from individual commitment to service and community, to the ability to create an organization, lead, and to involve others.

OR

Evidence of exemplary service-learning during his/her time on campus. The service-learning should reflect the student’s primary area of study, and service performed above and beyond that required of a service-learning class must be demonstrated.

AND

The identification of a real, community need.  This should be done in partnership with members of the community, with a demonstrated ability to work with community members in identifying and addressing the community need.
The creation of a sustainable organization or process to meet this community need for an extended period of time, either to its resolution or into the foreseeable future.  If the project is a one-time event, then it must be demonstrated to be fully meeting the need.

As is possible, an OCC staff or board member will travel to each campus nominating a Ping recipient to present the award at the campus annual student recognition event.  If it is impossible for an OCC representative to be in attendance, the appropriate information will be sent to the campus for awarding by the President.

All Ping applicants at member community colleges and non-senior Ping applicants at four-year colleges will be considered for the national Howard R. Swearer Student Humanitarian Award.  You must apply for a Ping Award in Ohio to be considered for the Swearer Award.