Ohio University-Zanesville Students Recognized for Community Service

Zanesville, OH – When Karen Slovak, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Ohio University-Zanesville committed to including service learning into the courses she teaches, she knew students would have mixed feelings. “Service Learning combines community service with classroom instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility to engage student,” says Slovak.

Students who engaged in community service in SW190 “Social Work as a Profession” were nominated by Slovak for recognition for their service. Vicki McDonald, Teresa Lukac, Callie Butler, and Krysta Houston volunteered a total of more than 120 hours last quarter. McDonald volunteered at the Muskingum County Home, while Lukac provided community service at the Beckett House in Cambridge. Callie Butler worked her service learning hours through Six County and Houston made a commitment to area youth through the Muskingum County Headstart.

“They worked very hard for their volunteer agencies and participated in 30 hours of volunteer work,” says Slovak. Callie Butler of Dresden says, “My experience with Big Brothers Big Sisters is great. “It is something my Little can look back on when she is older. It is really neat to know she looks forward to our time together as much as I do.”

          Not only is there self-satisfaction in volunteering, the students earned credit toward their degrees. In addition, the four students received certificates of appreciation from the Dean of Students at Ohio University, Terry Hogan. The certificates were presented to the students by the Zanesville Campus Dean, Jim Fonseca. “Community service is a valuable part of our students’ education,” says Fonseca. “These individuals represented Ohio University-Zanesville in a positive light in the community while supplementing their classroom education.”

          “It was a great experience and everyone who is in a helping profession should participate in service learning,” says Teresa Lukac of Cambridge. Both Butler and Lukac agree that the format of the class helps break down the stereo types of social workers. “It’s about providing a service to those in need,” explain the students.