15th Anniversary and Showcase Review
Award Recipients
Program Highlights | Photo Gallery
"The Faces of APPLES" Movie
The APPLES Service-Learning program at UNC Chapel Hill is a student-led and student-initiated program. The program was created by a group of students who decided that they wanted to make a greater connection between community needs and their education at Carolina. This year, APPLES celebrated its fifteenth anniversary by showcasing the amazing work of its founders, its current programs, and the students who organize them. The event was held in the Great Hall of the Student Union on Tuesday, April 18 th from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Similar to any large program on any college campus, there were last minute details which needed a strong student and staff push to complete. After blowing up dozens of balloons, setting up table after table and putting together displays and catering, the whole community of staff and students were really able to sit back and feel the impact of this program. There was a panel of APPLES alumni and even many of the original founders who were able to attend the event. Alumni shared their stories of how a small idea evolved into a program with such a strong impact upon its students. Their ideas and passion have taken shape in the interest and motivations of thousands of students who have come after them and have agreed to take on the adventure of service-learning at Carolina. Staff and faculty alike who were able to work with them early on, even during a time of resistance, were also present to share their accounts of how it all came together.
There was a mutual admiration between current APPLES organizers, faculty, and staff and those who had come before them. It was an incredible sight. Past APPLES alumni and friends were impressed with the steady growth and management of such a multi-faceted service-learning program, while current APPLES organizers, faculty and staff were in awe of the vision and determination of the alumni who were their predecessors. There was also a calm yet inspiring undertone of “This is it. This is what it is all about. APPLES has got something here and it really works well.” People came together and relived old times and were able to reconnect to a program in which they had given so much of themselves to while they were here at Carolina.
One of the most rewarding moments during this event was being able to look around the room and see students presenting to interested audiences about the work that they had completed. They spoke to the time and effort they put into a program’s success and displayed ownership they felt towards its sustainability. As they exuded pride over their accomplishments and revealed their challenges, one could also feel pride and a sense of honor for having been with them on that journey. Being able to see where the program started and how well it still continues to grow truly demonstrates the passion and drive of the students who choose to support it. The showcase provided an opportunity to be witness to their success and the continued success of the APPLES program.
The APPLES Service-Learning Award in honor of Ned Brooks
Established in 2001, the APPLES Service-Learning Award recognizes the sustained and on-going commitment of a student, faculty member, staff, or community partner who has addressed the concerns and needs of North Carolina communities. Recipients of the APPLES Service-Learning Award have been involved with the APPLES Program for a minimum of two years, have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service-learning, and are dedicated to positive community impact through service.
2006 Recipient: Mary Morrison, former director of APPLES from 1995-2002, is the recipient of this year’s 2006 Service-Learning Award in honor of Ned Brooks. In 1995, APPLES was at a critical juncture as an organization and it was Mary Morrison together with APPLES president, Mike DiIorio, who revived the program, energized student involvement and led APPLES to becoming the viable, valued organization it is today. During her 7 years as director, Mary not only put APPLES on an even keel as an organization but also helped build the organization to be the one we know today. Mary Morrison became service-learning’s best known advocate on campus and in the community; a valued colleague and a good friend to many students over the years.
The Community Partner Excellence Award
Established in 2004, the Community Partner Excellence Award honors the vital contribution of a community partner who provides unique and valuable service experiences for students. Recipients of The Community Partner Excellence Award have been involved with the APPLES Service-Learning Program for a minimum of two years, have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service-learning, and are dedicated to enhancing student learning in both the academic and community setting.
2006 Recipient: Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program is the recipient of the 2006 Community Partner Excellence Award. Blue Ribbon is a comprehensive support program for students in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools providing students with mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, enrichment, leadership training and scholarship support services. APPLES began partnering with Blue Ribbon in 1999. Since then, Blue Ribbon has hosted six summer interns and four spring interns, as well as worked with many service-learning students serving as tutors and public relations assistants. The students who have worked with Blue Ribbon leave with valuable knowledge as a result of their experiences and are inspired by and in admiration of the work that you do. Graig Meyer and Lorie Clark, the staff of Blue Ribbon, have done an excellent job of developing student’s professional growth as well as civic responsibility. In addition, Graig has been actively involved with APPLES selection committees for Ueltschi grant, internship and fellowship recipients.
The Faculty Excellence Award
Established in 2004, the Faculty Excellence Award honors a faculty member who thoroughly integrates service experiences into academic curriculum while inspiring students to make significant contributions in the community and the classroom. Recipients of The Faculty Excellence Award have been involved with the APPLES Service-Learning Program for a minimum of two years, have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service-learning, and are dedicated to positive community impact through service.
2006 Recipient: Deborah Bender, Clinical Professor in Health Policy and Administration in the School of Public Health, is this year’s recipient of the 2006 faculty Excellence Award. Deborah was a Ueltschi Course Development Grant recipient in the first round of grants in 1998. She has served on the APPLES Advisory Board since 2002. In addition to having taught her own service-learning courses in the School of Public Health, Deborah has been instrumental in co-creating the APPLES International Service-Learning Program over the past three years alongside committee organizers and staff. Her passion for international work has informed and guided the development and focus for this new Initiative for APPLES. In addition to serving as a faculty advisor for the International Program, she instructs a Reflection Seminar for all international service-learning participants upon their return from their abroad experience. She has presented workshops with students and staff on this unique “global-local” program model that has begun to gain national attention. Deborah has dedicated a tremendous amount of her own resources, time and energy to make this program the success it is today. Congratulations on this award you so richly deserve.
All Committees
Alternative Breaks
Courses and Reflection
Reflection Presentations
Internships
International
Social Entrepreneur Fellowships
Service-Learning Initiative
Service and Leadership Theme House
Questions, comments? Email us
at apples@unc.edu.
