Huntington College Students Receive Governor’s Award
HUNTINGTON, IN -- Huntington College students Matt Lister and Ben Powers were honored in a special chapel service with The Governor's Collegiate Volunteer Award for their leadership in the Huntington County Probation Mentoring Program. Probation Officer Larry Kingery presented the awards.
The Governor's Voluntary Action Program Awards were developed to encourage and reward individuals to counter violence, drugs and the breakdown of the family in communities across the state. Kingery nominated Lister and Powers for their seminal role in launching the mentoring program last year. The award is Indiana's highest distinction for volunteer service.
"It has become evident that government alone cannot deal with these social ills. President Bill Clinton, through his national service legislation, is turning to volunteers to make a positive impact on our neighborhoods, towns and cities," says Governor Evan Bayh.
Matt Lister, director of the mentoring program, is a Huntington College junior pursuing a degree in youth ministries. Lister is a Fort Wayne native and a 1993 graduate of Homestead High School. He is the son of David and Patricia Lister.
Ben Powers, assistant director of the mentoring program, is a junior pursuing a degree in educational ministries at Huntington College. He is a 1993 graduate of Snider High School and the son of John and Alice Powers of Fort Wayne.
Both men mobilized 14 Huntington College volunteers to work with 26 juvenile
delinquents, ages 11 to 17. Volunteers met with teens a minimum of three hours per week, tutoring them in school work and offering themselves as role models.
"I am certain the program would not have been a success without Matt and Ben's hard work," says Kingery. "This year there are more volunteers due to last year's success. We already have 26 initial volunteers and with that we will be able to reach 35 to 40 kids."
"The Governor's Volunteer Awards are but a small symbol of the sincere appreciation we all feel toward those Hoosiers who have given so generously of their time," says Bayh.
