In a heartfelt program on May 3, Bentley Service-Learning Director Franklyn Salimbene named six student recipients of the 2011 Sandy M. and Harry G. Adamian Community Service Awards. The Adamian Award honors the memories of Sandy Adamian and her son Harry, who were committed during their lives to community service programs in Watertown, Belmont, and surrounding communities. The recipients, chosen for their outstanding commitment and dedication to service in 2011, received a plaque and a $500 citation.

"I encourage you as you continue your years of service to think of yourself as a good citizen, doing what  is expected of you to live in a society that relies on each and every one of us to  contribute to the greater good," Salimbene told students.

Award recipients include Morgan Diamant ('12); Gregg Grenier ('12); Bree Johnson ('12); Carla O'Connor ('12); Stephanie Ryan ('11); and Miguel Santiago ('12). Salimbene presented the awards with Denise Oldham, M.Ed., daughter of Harry Adamian, granddaughter of Sandy Adamian, and niece of former Bentley president Gregory Adamian.

" ... I am always inspired by all of you," Alden said to service-learning students. "My hope for all of you is that this won't be something that you just do in college; it is something that you will continue to do as your life expands."

The 2011 Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to the Woburn Boys and Girls Club. The newly established 2011 Director's Award was presented to Jacqueline Yen, for helping establish a Bentley minor in nonprofit organizations (recently approved); and Nicholas Darsch for his work developing and strengthening the "give a year" scholarship program offered through Bentley and City Year.

The program concluded with the presentation of an engraved gavel to Salimbene to recognize 10 years as director of the Bentley Service-Learning Center. Salimbene is stepping down as director to return to a faculty position in the Law Department.