The Frank Newman Leadership Award ~ Campus Compact
http://www.compact.org/initiatives/campus-compact-awards-programs/the-frank-newman-leadership-award/
Award: $5,000

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

The Frank Newman Student Leadership Award recognizes students with financial need and civic leadership potential and provides both financial support and mentorship to help them achieve their academic and civic goals. Two undergraduates at Campus Compact member institutions will be honored; one award is reserved for a student at a 2-year institution and the other is for a sophomore or junior at a 4-year college/university.

In 2004, the Newman family and Frank's many friends and admirers established The Frank Newman Leadership Fund to enable college students with demonstrated financial need and potential for leadership to receive financial assistance and mentoring, and to have a significant experience in civic leadership during their college years. The fund supports The Frank Newman Leadership Award, which honors the unique legacy of Frank Newman by recognizing presidential leadership for civic engagement and exceptional students who have shown potential for civic leadership through community service and scholastic achievement.

The Award

The Frank Newman Leadership Award provides financial support and mentorship to assist students achieve their civic and academic goals. Two $5,000 awards are available to undergraduate students at Campus Compact member colleges and universities.

Eligibility

All students at Campus Compact member two-year schools, and sophomores and juniors at member four-year schools, are eligible.

Award Criteria

1. Evidence of civic leadership potential during the preceding 12-month period. Such potential is evidenced by academic achievement and the ability to create lasting change through civic action.
2. Sustained commitment to public engagement and the community. The application should demonstrate the student's capacity to identify and begin to address the root causes of community issues through public policy or other efforts focused on creating positive change.
3. Demonstrated financial need (as described in president's letter)

Application Requirements

1. Online application form
2. Student-written essay describing how they meet the selection criteria (up to 3 pages).
3. Letter of Nomination from the applicant's president/chancellor describing the student's scholastic and community achievement, leadership potential, and financial need.
4. Mentoring Plan (see below)
5. Recent head-and-shoulder, high-quality photograph
6. Commitment to attend award presentation (Austin, TX, June 30 - July 1, 2008). Campus Compact will cover expenses. The presentation of the Newman Award occurs at the Educational Leadership Colloquium, hosted by the Education Commission of the States where Frank Newman was president for 14 years. Campus Compact and ECS will provide visible opportunities at this event for the winning students to exercise leadership and discuss their civic work.
7. If selected, a six-month follow-up/progress report on mentoring plan and civic work.

College Requirements — The Mentoring Plan

The Mentoring Plan is a pledge that the president/chancellor will provide mentoring and leadership development for the winning student for the following academic year and describes how this will occur. The Plan should describe regular contact between the president and student, ongoing support for the student from an appropriate staff member (i.e. community service director or faculty) and discuss specific opportunities for the student.
By pledging to build a mentoring relationship with the winning student, the president will foster civic leadership capacities and skills in the student and expose them to further leadership opportunities.

Selection Process

The Office of Service-Learning at BGSU nominates a BGSU undergraduate student in March of each year for this award. To recognize the excellent work of as many students as possible, and to build networks of student leaders around the country, state Compact offices will review all applications from students studying within their state and select state finalists to move on the to national selection process.

For Questions Regarding the Award

Application deadlines vary each year, but the BGSU nominee is selected each year between January and March. For questions regarding the award, contact the staff of the Office of Service-Learning.