04/22/2008

Two Graduating A&S Students Earn Sullivan Awards for Commitment to Community Service

Two A&S student leaders who were instrumental in the University of Kentucky's "DanceBlue" benefit will receive the 2008 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallions.

The recipients are graduating senior female Megan K. Tolley of Louisville, who is earning a secondary major in English, and graduating senior male Joseph David Ritchie of Bardstown, a biology major.

The Sullivan Medallion recognizes individuals whose outstanding commitment to community service shows characteristics of heart, mind, and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.

Tolley’s nominators cited her efforts to counsel teams in the DanceBlue event, which benefits the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic, on fundraising.  In February, the event’s third year, DanceBlue raised more than $424,000 for the clinic.  Tolley also has served as the special events director for the UK Center for Community Outreach.  She organized UK’s first Agency Appreciation Breakfast, restructured the Student Volunteer Fair, and became the first student to lead UK’s Circle of Love holiday toy distribution program.

Ritchie served in DanceBlue from its 2006 inception, first serving on the Center for Community Outreach’s Special Events Committee, then chairing that committee in 2007 and finally as DanceBlue’s overall chair this year.  He has been a volunteer at the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic for three years and has spoken to several civic groups urging support for the clinic.

-- Dan Adkins