West Virginia Universitys Office of Service Learning Programs (OSLP) awarded three $250 prizes today (March 13) at the 2nd Annual Service Learning Fair.

Erin Condo, a social work graduate student from Perryville, Md., received a $250 WVU Bookstore gift certificate for her winning essay about her service learning experiences. Condo wrote about her work in a W. K. Kellogg Expanding Partnerships Program in Marion County to provide social service needs assessment.

Faculty member Theresa Wang, assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, was awarded a $250 WVU Bookstore gift certificate for teaching civic responsibility and incorporating service learning in her recreation and parks management classes. Wang and her students have assisted communities across the state by studying their area and making planning recommendations. She is also directing the Bulltown Tourism Development Program, funded by a W. K. Kellogg Foundation grant, which will allow students to conduct historical research, assist in planning efforts and help operate historic areas at Burnsville Lake in Braxton County.

OSLP also honored one community organization that demonstrated the highest level of service learning partnership with WVU . Selected as this years outstanding community mentor, Scotts Run Settlement House in Osage received a $250 gift certificate to Office Depot or the WVU Bookstore.

The Service Learning Fair continues through this afternoon. Service learning displays from 27 non-profit organizations are open until 3 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. To conclude the festivities, a 3 p.m. panel discussion featuring students, faculty and community members is scheduled for the Rhododendron Room in the Mountainlair.