Fulton, MO– Hope Wallace, a senior at William Woods University (WWU) and resident of O’Fallon, was honored with a prestigious academic award from the university during the William Woods Academic Honors Convocation and Co-Curricular Banquet on April 26. At the end of each academic year, WWU recognizes a select group of graduating seniors who have achieved excellence in academic, co-curricular and service projects during their time at the university.
Wallace, who graduated on April 27 with a degree in Social Work, received the Academic Service-Learning Award from the university. The Academic Service-Learning Award is presented annually to a senior who graduates with a grade point average of at least 3.4 and who, in the estimation of the faculty of the university, has best exemplified and exceptional commitment to service-learning.
As part of her Social Work major, Wallace completed a required 500-hour practicum at Mexico (Mo.) Middle School, for which she helped implement a “Reality Store” simulation with a theme that education and career are essential to being successful in the real world. For the project, she brought together an entire community of volunteers including the Chamber of Commerce, community partners, WWU students, and all school districts in Audrain County. The result was that every eighth grade student in the county had the opportunity to participate in the simulation, thanks to Wallace’s ability to organize a wide range of volunteers.
While at WWU, Wallace has dedicated time to most Social Work program functions as well as serving in leadership roles with the campus Social Work Club, whose primary mission is to serve others in the community. She has provided service to the Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence; has participated in events with the Rosa Parks Center (a shelter for young girls) on the WWU campus as well as the Fulton Treatment Center (FTC) male facility; and has volunteered with the Missouri Division of Youth Services Families and Students as Teachers Program (FAST) hosted on WWU campus. The FAST program unites families and students in DYS residential programs to encourage focus on educational pursuits.
She has been a member of the University Ambassadors and has participated in Project 123, in which she completed volunteer hours counting toward “Woods Around the World” trips overseas. She has effectively recruited WWU students outside of the Social Work Program to be involved with Project 123, which generated enthusiasm as WWU community members learn the significance of serving others.
