BEMIDJI, Minn. (June 21, 2012) — Bemidji State University senior Katherine Steilen recently received a Presidents’ Community Partner Award from the Minnesota Campus Compact.

The compact supports civic engagement and democratic renewal through a diverse network of 40 Minnesota colleges and universities. The group envisions a state in which every student experiences service learning or civic engagement, and graduates with a determination to contribute to the public good; and a state in which every college and university is fully engaged with its communities. Together, the compact hopes to foster an environment where students and institutions will work to educate citizens, solve problems and build a stronger democracy.

Each member institution creates different programs and partnerships depending on the unique priorities, cultures and assets of the campus and its surrounding community.

The Minnesota organization is affiliated with a national Campus Compact group, a national coalition of more than 1,100 colleges and universities in 35 states.

The Presidents’ Awards are one way the compact recognizes campus-community partnerships. Steilen, a senior from Bemidji majoring in elementary education, was one of 27 recipients of a Community Partner Award this year, which included eight individuals and 19 groups or organizations. Community Partner Awards are for individuals or community-based organizations that have enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and have developed a sustained, reciprocal partnership with the college or university to enrich educational and community outcomes.

In the compact’s award release, Steilen was noted for “consistently connecting Bemidji State University students to the Boys and Girls Club… in addition to her academics and Boys and Girls Club work.” The statement also noted, “If we had more community partners like Katie, we’d accomplish so much more.”

In total, the compact recognized 77 individuals and organizations this year with awards in three categories.

For more information about the Minnesota Campus Compact, visit http://mncampuscompact.org/ or follow on Twitter @MNCompact.

STEILEN HONORED BY MINNESOTA CAMPUS COMPACT

BEMIDJI, Minn.
56601 | Katherine Steilen, senior, elementary education.

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