Student recognized for volunteer work

An MTSU student received two awards for outstanding volunteer work.

Crystal Griffey, senior communication disorders and global studies major, is a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, an honors society which presents the award as part of their yearly recognition for volunteer service in the community.

Griffey was awarded the Scholar of Promise Award, by NSCS, which is given to members who complete 50 hours of youth-based community service in a 12 month period.

"I got the chance to work directly with students at Central Middle School who have behavioral and learning problems," Griffey said. "And as a result, the group I was with was able to help a student pass and move up into high school."

In addition to the Scholar of Promise Award, Griffey also received the President's Volunteer Service Award, which is given to members who complete 100 hours of community service in one year.

Griffey, likes the fact that she is being recognized for her work, but does not feel the awards are the true reward for volunteering.

"It's nice to be rewarded for things...but this is stuff that I would be doing anyways," Griffey said.

"Crystal is the only NSCS member at MTSU...(and) the only member from Tennessee to win this year," said Mishri Someshwar, coordinator of outreach-communication for the NSCS said that

Among other activities, Crystal dedicated her time to HIV/AIDS awareness on campus, at a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraiser and also participated in the "Angel Tree" project says Someshwar.

"I feel it is very important (to volunteer) because to be a true leader you must be giving of yourself," Griffey said. "Doing service projects is just who I am as a leader."