Hastings College senior Melissa Theesen, St. Joseph, Mo., received the Student Commendation in Service Learning Award from the Midwest Consortium for Service Learning in Higher Education (MCSLHE). The award was presented at the MCSLHE conference, Sept. 28, in Kearney, Neb.

The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and citizenship through service learning programming and participation, demonstrated outstanding commitment to service learning, and developed and furthered service learning infrastructure at their learning institution.

 Three years ago, Theesen initiated Students Against Hunger and Homelessness, a Hastings College organization that plans activities for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in November. The group raises funds to feed the hungry in the Hastings area and increases awareness regarding the causes of poverty and how to change conditions that cause poverty. 

Theesen lived with a Mayan host family in Guatemala during a January 2007 interim course and also during spring semester. She helped paint a Presbyterian church and volunteered at an after-school program where she taught English. She studied the Guatemalan culture and learned about poverty issues facing the people.

Theesen is the daughter of Steve and Sally Theesen. She is a religion major with an emphasis in Christian ministry and a focus on mission and social justice; international studies; and a minor in Spanish. She also is a peace, justice and social change major within the sociology department.

 This is the third year a Hastings College student received the MCSLHE award. Previous recipients were Joshua O’Bannon (2006) and Ann Goding (2005).

MCSLHE is a consortium of 25 institutions of higher education in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa.
                                                                       -30-