Clark University President David Angel presented the 2011 John W. Lund Community Achievement Award to Greg Doerschler, senior analyst in Clark’s Office of Institutional Research and adviser to the Outing Club, and to fifth-year student Andre Kenstowicz. Doerschler and Kenstowicz were honored at a September 20 recognition dinner at Harrington House, the residence of Clark’s President. Doerschler, originally from Wethersfield, Conn., was recognized for his years of bringing Clark students into the community to enjoy Worcester’s natural resources and better understand their responsibility to the environment. His work has helped to build positive relations between Clark and the Worcester community, and led to many significant improvements in some of the city’s protected lands.
Doerschler attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and has resided in Worcester for 23 years. He came to Clark in April 2000, and soon became involved advising a variety of Clark student organizations that promote greater sustainability and green living. He has advised the Outing Club since it was re-founded in fall 2002; in coordination with Office of Student Leadership and Programming, he also oversees the “Clark Nature Connection,” which introduces students to the green spaces of central Massachusetts and nearby locations through regularly scheduled, easy-access hikes. He advises Clark’s Cycles of Change club and assists with its Bike Share program.
Last year, Doerschler assisted students in forming the Clark Sustainability Collaborative, an umbrella organization created to connect environmentally focused student clubs and initiatives, and to enable them to work together more effectively. He also participates in Clark’s largest volunteer event, Just Do It Day; at the Regional Environmental Council’s citywide Earth Day clean-ups; and trail construction, property clean-ups, and related activities with the Greater Worcester Land Trust. “Honestly, I feel that what I do is just part of who I am and still don’t see it as exceptional,” Doerschler said. “I love working alongside all the Clark students, showing them Worcester’s green spaces, and lending a hand in any way I can. Club advising is at times more challenging than my ‘day job’ and is always a learning experience in both directions. The students are truly deserving. Seeing them move on to accomplish so many amazing things is the most rewarding aspect of being at Clark.”
Kenstowicz, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was honored for his longstanding commitment to and support of the Worcester Boys and Girls Club. During his college career he has volunteered extensively, helping to plan 2009’s Keystone Conference and working on the Club’s website and strategic planning. President Angel noted that Kenstowicz’s work exemplifies Clark’s partnership with the Worcester community.
Kenstowicz was admitted to Clark as a Making a Difference (MAD) Scholar in 2007. In 2008, he was named the Learning Center Volunteer of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester; he also received a 2009 Foreign Language Scholarship from the Pittsburgh Fund’s Freda Gray Charitable Fund. Kenstowicz received multiple awards from Clark including membership in the Fiat Lux Honour Society (2010-2011), the Residential Life and Housing Staff Member of the Year award, The Richard P. Traina and Peter C. Kole Education Scholarship, and the Theodore and Phyllis Barbera Award for Excellence in Spanish.
Kenstowicz received his B.A. with a double major in Spanish Language and Literature and Urban Development and Social Change during the May 2010 Commencement, and is currently finishing his Masters of Arts in Teaching. “I share this award and recognition with Micki Davis, Clark’s CEV [Community Engagement and Volunteering] Program Coordinator, and Ron Hadorn, the Executive Director of The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester,” Kenstowicz said. “Both Micki and Ron have been instrumental in guiding and mentoring me throughout my volunteer career at Clark and the BGC. I will continue my passion for service this year as a Spanish teacher at University Park Campus School as well as into the future, remembering the core values and skills I learned at both Clark University and the BGC.”
The annual John W. Lund Community Achievement Award was established by the late Jack Lund, retired business and civic leader of Worcester, a good friend of Clark University, and a familiar face on campus, auditing 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.