Twenty Georgetown students were recognized for their outstanding volunteer service and academic success with the Lena Landegger award.  Named in memory of the mother of Carl, C’51 and George, F, ’58 Landegger, who dedicated herself to volunteer service and improving the world, this award has given been given for the past 13 years. 

The awardees are nominated by peers and then selections are made by a committee of faculty, staff, students and alumni.  Each recipient gets a certificate and cash award recognizing his/her accomplishments, and is invited to participate in a celebratory dinner in Riggs Library.

This year the recipients were recognized for their service to a wide variety of causes and endeavors, including work on the Inaugural Committee, inner city schools projects, migrant workers in Doha, United Feminists, UNICEF, and many more. Most of the recipients of the Lena Landegger Service Award participated in approximately four to seven different organizations that formed the basis for their recognition. In addition to outstanding community service, each student has a record of academic accomplishments. One committee member noted, “It was clear that each of the recipients were recognized for perseverance as well as dedication.”

 Some students use their award monies to help their organizations. Some use it for travel or graduate education. This next year will take them to such varied places as community service in California, a Masters in Public Health at Yale University, homeless shelters, journalism, Teach for America positions and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Damien Dwin, B’97, one of the first class of recipients of the Lena Landegger Award, spoke at this year’s awards dinner.  Now a member of the Georgetown’s Board of Regents, he is active with the Healy Fellows Program and the Freshman Challenge as well as other efforts.  He commented that it is important to understand that failure and frustration are often inherent in the work, as well as the fact that one must depend on the friendships made at Georgetown to grow through the challenges and successes. This was echoed by the comments of Jennifer Thuy Vi Nguyen, one of the 2009 recipients, “Committing to community service requires that you commit to self-reflection and an inventory of strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of where you could be most effective.  Of course, finding your place is marked by bumps in the road -- I've worn a few hats that did not fit too well, but that just gives you a greater understanding of you and your best fit in community service.” 

Here are two of the 2009 award recipients’ reflections on what the award means to them…

This award shows the continuing support that Georgetown University and its benefactors will provide for service to the community and embodiment of the Jesuit ideal of Women and Men for Others. I am glad to have received this award, but even more happy to see the diversity in efforts that Georgetown students have pursued in community service. Roland Dimaya, ‘09


I feel tremendously honored to receive this award and also for the support and encouragement the Georgetown community offers in regard to social justice work.
Much of my work within communities has been so enriched by the discussions I have had with my professors. I am so thankful to them for opening their doors and their ears to students like myself who are trying to find ways to connect their academic passions with social justice work. My experience at Georgetown has deeply enriched my understanding of community and social justice and receiving this award is a reflection of the support and encouragement I have been surrounded by at Georgetown.  Marion Cory, ‘10


Authored by Carol Day, Director of Health Education Services