October 15, 2009
Clark grads receive Lund Community Achievement Awards
Efforts include high school mentoring, spurring co-eds to get involved
Recent Clark University graduates Joshua A. Cohen, of Brighton, Mass., and Erin P. Burns-Maine, of East Hartford, Conn., were presented with the John W. Lund Community Achievement Award, during a dinner honoring student scholars on Sept. 30 at Harrington House, the home of University President John Bassett.
Cohen was recognized for his work with the Clark University High School Partnership (CUHSP), where his role as a mentor and as the director brought great stability to this new program. CUHSP reaches out to high school students within the Worcester area, matching them up in small groups or one-on-one with Clark University students, in order to supply a glimpse of the social atmosphere of a college environment. "Josh Cohen's dedication, creative efforts, and passionate belief in the concept and power of mentoring relationships was integral in bringing 60 Clark mentors together with over 100 University Park Campus School and Claremont students, changing the lives of both the Clark students and the neighborhood children forever," said President Bassett.
Cohen graduated from Clark in May 2008 with a B.A. in Psychology and Urban Development and Social Change, and May 2009 with a Master of Arts in Teaching through Clark's Accelerated Degree Program. As an undergraduate student, Cohen was active in the neighborhood surrounding Clark as a volunteer at the Worcester Youth Center and work study student at the Goddard School of Science and Technology. Cohen's commitment to the neighborhood continues, as he is currently teaching at the Goddard School. He is the child of Robert and Jeanne Cohen, and is a graduate of Boston Latin Academy.
As winner of Clark University's 'Big Idea Contest' in 2008, Burns-Maine devoted herself to implementing her plan to educate Clark students about the role they play in the local community and the influence that they have on the local economy. She worked to bridge the gap between Clark students and the community by providing information to incoming students during Week One Orientation to make them more aware of their new neighborhood. This was accomplished through walking maps, alliances with local organizations, and connections with local businesses. Burns-Maine is recognized for her deep commitment to the values of community and service.
Burns-Maine graduated from Clark University in May 2008 with a degree in Sociology, and Urban Development and Social Change, and in August 2009 with a M.A. in Community Development and Planning through Clark's "5th-Year-Free" accelerated degrees program. She was accepted to Clark as a Making a Difference (MAD) Scholar. As an undergraduate student, Burns-Maine served as treasurer of Community Action Reform Education (CARE), worked as an intern at the Central Mass. Housing Alliance, was a Sociology Department research assistant, and volunteered at the Francis Perkins Shelter and the People in Peril (PIP) Shelter. She also spent a semester studying abroad at the Center for Global Education in Namibia, funded by a scholarship from the Marshall Geer McKim Memorial Fund. She is currently employed by the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance in Public Education and Advocacy.
Burns-Maine is a 2004 graduate of the Watkinson School in Hartford and is the daughter of Linda Burns and Gerry Maine of Hartford.
The annual John W. Lund Community Achievement Award was established by Jack Lund, retired business and civic leader of Worcester, a good friend of Clark University, and a familiar face on campus. He has audited classes at Clark for nearly 20 years. Mr. Lund created the award with an endowment to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. The gift recognizes Mr. Lund's affection for Worcester, and his belief that positive change is created by individual dedication. The endowment provides for a monetary reward to be given annually to a student, faculty, or staff member of Clark University in recognition of contributions made to the Worcester community.