Warrington students receive UF Presidential Service Awards

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Five students from the Warrington College of Business Administration received the University of Florida’s Presidential Service Award on March 12.

Sarah Cordell, Molly Muth, Alexander Salamanca, Kelvin Tran and Amanda Waterman were recognized for their “dedicated time and efforts while at the University of Florida to promoting social justice, community awareness, and civic engagement on campus and in the community.”

Below is a glimpse of the students’ work in the community:

Alexander Salamanca (MSM, ’14): Alexander has volunteered at Raices de Esperanza (Roots of Hope) for more than three years. Roots of Hope’s mission is to bridge the gap between Cubans on and off the island and raise awareness about their struggles. Alexander helped implement Cell Phones for Cuba, a program designed to boost the connectivity of young people on the island and promote greater communication throughout Cuba, and helped organize UF’s Cuba Conference. He also works on Roots of Hope’s Talent Development Team coordinating the organization’s internship program and human capital needs.

Kelvin Tran (BABA, ’14): Kelvin has volunteered at Shands Hospital for more than two years at its Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Neurology Clinic, Emergency Department, Operating Room, and Pathology Lab. He has volunteered at Equal Access Clinic and Helping Hands Clinic, which are free-health care clinics in Gainesville. Kelvin has helped his community by volunteering at assisted living facilities the Hospice Care Center and Harbor Chase, the Food Pantry at Gainesville Community Ministry, and the Young Achievers Foundation where he mentors high school students.

Amanda Waterman (BSAc ’16, MAcc ’16): Amanda volunteers at Gainesville’s Howard Bishop Middle School through UF’s Motiv-8 program, which is designed to empower and encourage at-risk middle school students through mentoring. She works with students on their school work, goal-setting and serving as a positive role model. Amanda also regularly tutors Bishop seventh- and eighth-grade students in math.

Molly Muth (BSBA, ’13): Molly has volunteered as a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters for the past four years and recently began the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Florida’s Bigs Inspiring Scholastic Success program. Molly visits weekly with a Gainesville-area child, assists with her schoolwork and accompanies her to fun activities. Molly also is an Alachua County School Volunteer. She spends time at Littlewood Elementary leading small group instruction, teaching ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students sight words and assists teachers in grading schoolwork.

Sarah Cordell (MSM, ’13): Sarah is involved with the community service organization Circle K International (CKI). CKI is a branch of Kiwanis International, a global volunteer organization. Among the organizations Sarah devoted her time to were Relay for Life, the signature event for the American Cancer Society; Helping Hands Pet Rescue, an animal adoption center in Gainesville; and Noah’s Endeavor, a Gainesville nonprofit organization dedicated to children with special needs.