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Alumna Receives Governor’s Volunteer Service Award

May 1, 2017

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Melissa Calhoun, a WIU alumna, was recently awarded by the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service with a Governor's Volunteer Service Award. Calhoun, of Rock Island, IL, was recognized for her service to the Esperanza Child Care Center, a bilingual preschool in the Floreciente neighborhood in Moline.

Calhoun graduated from WIU in 1986 with a degree in biology. She earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently an AmeriCorps volunteer, Calhoun also volunteers with the First Presbyterian Church of Davenport (IA), Quad Cities Interfaith and One Human Family QCA.

The award recognizes volunteers and programs that have made a difference in Illinois and highlights the importance of volunteerism and community service. According to information posted on illinois.gov, Calhoun was nominated because "she has become an integral part of the classroom, working with three-to-five year olds who are considered at-risk for failure in kindergarten."

Calhoun was among 24 Illinois residents and four businesses recognized in honor of National Volunteer Week at the Old State Capitol during a reception. WIU graduate student Jamie Burns, of Fond Du Lac (WI), a member of the Peace Corps Fellows Program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at WIU, was also awarded.

"Those that are honored at the event are part of millions of Illinoisans who gave 286.6 million hours of their time to others in 2016," said Commission Executive Director Scott McFarland. "These particular individuals and businesses have gone above and beyond in their efforts at improving their communities through volunteerism. We are proud to have them serving in Illinois."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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