Four Cornell students receive awards for community-service efforts

Four Cornell University undergraduate students have been honored for their community service work.

The Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Awards were presented Friday, April 24, to sophomores Michelle Lamboy and Suzanne Guziec and seniors Jessica Rubin and Erica Frenay for their service projects. The awards were established by alumni Gerald Robinson '54 and Margot Robinson '55 and Robert Appel '53 and Helen Appel '55. They were created to recognize and honor students who have had significant involvement in community service by providing support for their projects. Three community service projects initiated and proposed by Cornell students are selected annually and each project receives $1,500.

Michelle Lamboy '00, College of Human Ecology, from Lake Ridge, Va., and Ithaca, N.Y. Lamboy founded the Cornell Non-Traditional Student Organization. Through word-of-mouth advertising, the membership in the organization has increased five-fold in less than one semester. The group organizes social activities, disseminates information and addresses issues relating to non-traditional students.

Suzanne Guziec '00, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, from Dunkirk, N.Y. Guziec is one of the founding members of Together Ithaca Empowers Students (TIES). This mentoring and educational program connects children at the Southside Community Center, Ithaca, to 40 Cornell student volunteers. The students organize bi-weekly field trips and educational activities in Tompkins County for the children.

Jessica Rubin '98, College of Arts and Sciences, from Bronxville and New Rochelle, N.Y., and Erica Frenay '98, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, from Canastota and Oneida, N.Y. Now entering its third growing season, Dilmun Hill Student Farm , near Cornell Orchards, is expanding its connections with the Ithaca community. It is increasing the availability of fresh organic produce and educating youth about agriculture, while providing practical farming experiences. Rubin and Frenay, members of the student farm, have arranged for 18 teenagers at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center to prepare soil and plant seeds. During the summer, the teenagers will staff a farm stand selling fresh, low-cost farm products.

For more information on the Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Awards, contact the Public Service Center at (607) 255-1148.