WSSU staffer wins Governor’s Volunteer Award

Dana Walker, coordinator of community service at Winston-Salem State University, has received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for his work matching members of the WSSU community with non-profit organizations.

Walker coordinates WSSU’s Project GIVE [Getting Involved (through) Volunteer Efforts], which is hosted through the Office of Career Development Services. Last year (2015-16) through the program, 779 students volunteered 29,013 hours to local agencies. This included service learning projects at 22 schools, 15 churches and 14 medical facilities. He also coordinated an annual volunteer service fair that helped students, faculty and staff learn about ways they can serve their community.

“His work has led to recognition of Project GIVE as a valuable resource in the greater community and to raise the overall profile of the University,” wrote Arthur Hardin, WSSU academic success counselor, in nominating Walker. Hardin was the previous coordinator for Project GIVE.

The award was presented on April 19 at Salem College. The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, first created in 1979, honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.