Judson University is seeking nominations for the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award and the Bea Wilson Youth Service Award, which are presented each year at Judson University’s Community Prayer Breakfast.
Both awards recognize candidates who have contributed to the greater good in the Fox Valley community by voluntarily serving others' physical, emotional, intellectual or spiritual needs. The recognitions will be given during Judson University's Community Prayer Breakfast, which will be held on Wednesday, May 11 on Judson’s Elgin campus (1151 N. State St.).
Last year, Judson honored Dr. David Sam, president of Elgin Community College with the D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award. Dr. Sam has volunteered on boards for the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Elgin, Greater Elgin Area YMCA and AMITA Presence St. Joseph Hospital. He is a founding member of the Alignment Collaborative for Education. He also serves on the Rotary Club of Elgin and a number of workforce and education advisory committees at the local, regional, state and federal level. He has received more than 20 awards and honors for his leadership within the higher education and community college arena as well as received many recognitions for his service. Under his leadership, ECC has been recognized for its many achievements and innovations.
The Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Service Award recognizes freshmen through juniors in high school in the Fox Valley for voluntarily performing community work that serves others’ physically, emotionally, intellectually or spiritually. The Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Service Award winner will also receive a $3,000 scholarship annually to attend Judson University.
Last year, Judson awarded the Bea Wilson Youth Award to Abigail Estrada, a student in the World Language International Studies Academy at Streamwood High School. She was the president of the Girl Up Chicago Coalition in which she worked with other Girl Up Clubs in the area to spark change. Abigail also organized a Girl Up Summit for the Chicago region. She was the co-chair of women’s rights for the United Nations Association Coalition of Chicago, participates in Running Start High School Program to teach young girls about government, and was part of the Let’s Move Elgin Youth Board.
The awards were named in honor of D. Ray Wilson, a former Judson trustee and publisher of the Courier News, and his wife, Bea Wilson, who was a community champion of hope, service and hospitality.
All nominations must be submitted by the deadline, Friday, April 15.
Nominations for the awards can be submitted at these links:
D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award - JudsonU.edu/communityaward
Bea Wilson Youth Volunteer Service Award - JudsonU.edu/youthaward
Any questions about the Community Prayer Breakfast, award nominations or sponsorship can be emailed to julie.schmidt@judsonu.edu. All nominators and nominees are invited to attend the prayer breakfast. Nominees receive a complimentary ticket to the breakfast.
General admission tickets are $30. Table sponsorships are $500 for businesses and non-profits and $300 for Church Table sponsorships with each receiving a table of eight guests. Tickets will be available beginning March 15. Find out more information at JudsonU.edu/prayerbreakfast.
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