University Relations
Winners of the Learning to a Greater Degree Award
First Student Presented with the Learning to a Greater Degree Award
President of the UCM Board of Governors "Bunky Wright" (left) and UCM President Chuck Ambrose (right) present Lacy Stephens (center) with the Learning to a Greater Degree Award. |
Lacy Stephens has been selected as the University of Central Missouri's first Learning to a Greater Degree student award recipient for her involvement in engaged learning and service throughout the Kansas City area.
Stephens, a senior nutrition and dietetics major, has a very busy schedule. Between classes and preparing for graduation, she finds time to organize events for the Student Dietetics Association as its current secretary.
"This semester has been a little stressful, but receiving this award reminded me of the bigger picture," Stephens says. "I was very flattered and surprised!"
Some of the volunteer organizations Stephens is involved in include Cultivate Kansas City, Serve Kansas City and Society of St. Andrew West. She received the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award for her work with "Eating from the Garden" through Cultivate Kansas City. Although Stephens is very passionate about all of her volunteering endeavors, she is especially fond of this program.
In her work with "Eating from the Garden," Stephens had the privilege to work with fourth graders in an urban youth center. She recalls watching them "pull things straight from the garden and seeing them love their vegetables," as one of the most memorable moments in all of her volunteer work.
UCM's reasons to believe are exemplified through Stephens' positive outlook and drive to teach others about sustainability and nutrition in urban areas.
"Learning to a greater degree means stepping outside of the classroom and figuring out how you can take the pieces you are learning and use them in the real world," Stephens says.
Do you know someone who demonstrates UCM's reasons to believe? Nominate them to be the next Learning to a Greater Degree Award recipient.
Stockton Honored with Learning to a Greater Degree Award
Susan Stockton's passion and engagement earned her the Learning to a Greater Degree Award. |
The nomination for UCM's first faculty recipient of the Learning to a Greater Degree Award opened with the statement, "Susan Stockton exudes a genuineness that motivates her to provide students with experiences that go beyond the classroom."
When talking to Stockton, a health education instructor and two-time UCM alumna, her genuineness is immediately apparent, as is her passion for teaching.
One of the many notable ways that Stockton helps to provide her students with engaged learning opportunities is by giving them access to a software program she obtained through an in-house grant. This program allows students to monitor their heart rate and understand how it affects their health, resiliency, creativity and problem-solving abilities.
"Because their world to me is so exuberant with color and action, the more you can engage the whole person, the more they will remember," Stockton says.
Stockton also gets students involved beyond health education, taking advantage of the "creative trust" of UCM faculty and staff who bring speakers and events to campus on a regular basis.
This semester, she had the American Democracy Project group come into her classes to help register students to vote, and for a service-learning experience, she took her students to help clean up Warrensburg's Blind Boone Park.
Stockton's passion and involvement in and outside the classroom demonstrates what learning to a greater degree means.
