National Recognition for Gwynedd-Mercy College's Rufe

Education major Steven Rufe is being honored with the Newman Civic Fellow Award from Campus Compact. The award is presented to 135 students from 30 different states who show an investment in finding solutions to challenges facing communities across the country. "These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does play in building a better world,” explains Campus Compact President Maureen F. Curley. Each week, Rufe travels from Philadelphia to the United Nations in New York where he is working on a national curriculum for school-age children. He has also presented at local and national conferences on the importance of global justice and is active in providing services to impoverished schools in both the United States and Africa.

Touch of Tennis Receives National Service Award

Head Coach Jim Holt received the national award from the USTA in February for the Touch of Tennis program. (Credit USTA Web site)

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) awarded its 2010 National Adaptive Service Award to Gwynedd-Mercy College's tennis clinic, Touch of Tennis.

Touch of Tennis is a free clinic for community members with special needs. Jim Holt, who is both GMC's head tennis coach and a special education teacher at Wordsworth Academy, began the program in 1998 after recognizing a shortage of opportunities for those with special needs.

The USTA bestows the recognition upon a program or a program leader that has demonstrated continued excellence, dedication and service in tennis for an adaptive tennis community. Coach Holt was honored before more than 600 community tennis leaders during the annual USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop in Arlington, Va., that took place Feb. 11-13.

"It is a tremendous honor for me and all of the participants, especially the volunteers who helped make it all possible," Coach Holt says.

The award was established in 2003, with its first recipient being Eunice Shriver for her work with the Special Olympics.

Visit the USTA Web site.