In August, the Florida Chapter of the U.S Green Chamber of Commerce founding board member and Rollins College environmental studies program coordinator, Ann Francis, received the 2015 Helen A. Ward Crossley Distinguished Service Award and the 2015 Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement.
The Helen A. Ward Crossley Distinguished Service Award, established in 1999, recognizes Rollins staff members for their outstanding service and dedication to the College. Named for Rollins’ 12th president, the Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement was established in 2006 as a means of recognizing Rollins staff members for sustainable and demonstrated service in local and global communities. Francis’ name has become synonymous with the Rollins Sustainability Program.
“I was incredibly honored to be chosen for the Helen A. Ward Crossley Distinguished Service Award!” Francis said. “And then……receiving the Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement was just so unbelievable! Dr. Seymour is someone I’ve admired my whole career here at Rollins…..and then I had the opportunity to talk with him and spend time discussing the wonderful service work that Rollins is always involved in.”
“I am humbled by both awards and appreciate my peers so much for choosing me for both.”
As part of this award, Francis received $500 to donate towards the community organization of her choice to further encourage her efforts in citizenship and leadership. She also directed one of this years’ SummerSERVE projects in partnership with the Center for Leadership & Community Engagement. Francis and some of her students spent a morning of service and education at Back to Nature and then also Journey’s End.
“Having the opportunity to choose our 4th and final Rollins 2015 SummerServe project, I chose two local animal rescues/rehabilitative organizations – two organizations, both being concentrated on animals, has never been done before and this choice was very well received by the campus!” Francis expressed. “We had 20 students, faculty, staff and alumni go to Journey’s End Sanctuary in Deland and 50 to Back to Nature Refuge.”
