A Rogers State University freshman was among 218 college students nationwide to be named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition for her service to the local community.
Katelyn Gamble, a business administration – accounting major from Edmond, is a member of the RSU Hillcats softball team and the President’s Leadership Class at RSU. Students selected as a Newman Civic Fellow have demonstrated they are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change.
“I’ve always had a passion for helping others in and outside of my community,” Gamble said. “To help improve the education of my peers, I became a volunteer tutor for the athletic department. Being a student athlete myself, I know how challenging it is to maintain successful grades during the season. My goal as a tutor is to help improve the educational success of my peers while also encouraging them to think positively about education and their academic careers.”
In addition to tutoring, Gamble has invested in the lives and well-being of area youth. She has volunteered at Rogers County Youth Services, which provides care and shelter for kids who have been taken out of their homes due to abuse or neglect. She has helped lead free softball clinics to help develop the skills and self-confidence of aspiring girls. Katelyn also has shared with children at Claremont Elementary School about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy, and has also volunteered for RSU’s Art on the Hill exhibition show and sale that benefits student scholarships.
Her commitment to community service and social change began even before her arrival at RSU, having served through numerous opportunities in her hometown of Edmond, Oklahoma. She volunteered at the regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and served in a community outreach program that provided free school supplies, wellness checks, haircuts, and physical exams. Through her high school, she annually volunteered in fundraising opportunities to support local non-profit organizations.
RSU President Dr. Larry Rice nominated Gamble for the recognition, noting her exceptional leadership qualities.
“Katelyn is passionate about academic success and promoting further educational attainment within her spheres of influence,” Rice said, noting her service as a tutor. “She manages to contribute this time to support others’ educational endeavors while balancing a busy student-athlete schedule and maintaining a strong academic record of her own.”
Newman Civic Fellows are recommended by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. The award is non-competitive. Each student who is recommended will become a Newman Civic Fellow in the year she/he is recommended and will represent that school within the national group. For more information, visit http://compact.org/initiatives/awards-programs/the-frank-newman-leadership-award.