Two Students Win Weidner Awards for Altruism

Cory Hall, a junior chemistry/biology major, has been named recipient of the 2008 award from the Butler chapter of the John Weidner Award for Altruism.

The annual $1,250 award goes to a Butler University student who, through involvement in altruistic activities, exemplifies the selfless and principled lifestyle of John Weidner, a Dutch citizen who helped hundreds of people escape from the Germans prior to and during World War II.

The Indianapolis Rotary Club has named Butler junior Tony Liszewski, a pharmacy major, recipient of its Weidner scholarship, a $1,500 award.

The awards were presented April 8.

Hall's volunteer activities include Pendleton Community AED – presenting and teaching CPR – and serving as American Cancer Society chairman for 2007. He was named Central Indiana Volunteer of the Year by the Emerging Leadership Institute and was also Pendleton, Ind., Citizen of the Year in 2006.

Liszewski does volunteer work for the Ronald McDonald House, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and numerous other organizations.

Butler University established the nation's first collegiate chapter of the John Weidner Foundation for Altruism in 2006.

The mission of the chapter is to stimulate interest in altruistic service both on campus and in the community. It's designed to be a force for good at Butler, focusing on identifying, supporting and emulating selfless individuals and guiding fellow university students in serving others. The chapter is sponsored by Butler’s Student Sociology Association. The sociology association's advisor, Bill Ervin, who retired in 2006 after nine years as an adjunct professor of sociology and criminal justice, is a member of the Weidner Foundation Board of Trustees. Ervin approached the Indianapolis Rotary Club, which he is a member of, and asked to have its foundation provide the $1,500 annual award. The Rotary Club agreed.

Department of Sociology
Spring Banquet
Tuesday April 8, 2008

Dr. Antonio Menendez and the Department of Sociology cordially invites you to attend our Spring Banquet, which will take place on Tuesday April 8, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Room of Robertson Hall.

The Banquet includes dinner, an initiation ceremony for new members of Alpha Kappa Delta, a special welcome to Sociology Majors, and recognition of departmental award recipients. In addition, the Sociology Department is proud to welcome back Dr. Richard Tewksbury ’86, from the University of Louisville, as the featured guest speaker. Dr. Tewksbury is a Professor of Justice Administration. You can visit him via the University of Louisville link: http://louisville.edu/justiceadministration/faculty-staff/faculty/richard-tewksbury.html

A participation fee for the banquet is $5.00 per person. Payment is due Thursday, March 20th along with your RSVP. You are welcome to invite family and significant others.

Please RSVP to selkin@butler.edu by Thursday, March 20, 2008. You can deliver payment to Stacy Elkin, Secretary, Department of Sociology in JH 371. Checks may be made payable to Butler University. We look forward to celebrating with you!

The Club decided to change its name from The Sociology Club to "The Student Sociology Association" during the 2004-2005 year.

The Student Sociology Association is open to everyone interested in the field of sociology, Criminology, and Sociology/ Social Work. The association is a student-run organization which elects its own leadership and provides the opportunity for students to exchange ideas, to interact informally with departmental faculty, and to become involved in the university and local community. Throughout the year, the association sponsors many activities, including guest speakers, field trips, community service, and a variety of social events.

Students elect their own association officers annually in the Spring for the following academic year. For the 2007-2008 academic year, the officers are:

The S.S.A. meets every Wednesday from 5:30 pm.to 6:30 pm in the west end basement of Jordan Hall, JH.084.

Students interested in becoming involved in the association should contact Elisa Liszewski or any one of the members.