Davis & Elkins College junior Elise Cardot is among 218 students chosen to receive the 2016 Newman Civic Fellows Award from Campus Compact. The Boston-based non-profit organization works to advance the public purposes of higher education.
An exercise science major, Cardot is the daughter of Rich and Aimee Cardot of Petersburg, W.Va.
The award honors the late Dr. Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders and a tireless advocate for the civic engagement of higher education. In the spirit of Newman’s leadership, Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors were encouraged to nominate students who are proven leaders with both the motivation and ability to make substantial contributions toward public problem solving. Those chosen for the honor also will have taken action in pursuit of long-term positive social changes.
In making the nomination, D&E President ‘Buck’ Smith said, “Elise is a natural leader with incredible self-discipline, intellectual capacity and a charisma that allows her to effectively lead with charming grace. The energy she has garnered for her efforts toward spiritual life and social justice have been inspiring, and she possesses much potential for positive change in our world.”
In fall 2015, Cardot was selected to attend the President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge National Gathering at Howard University in Washington, D.C. When she returned, she led a successful campus-wide food drive which included educational components that challenged the community to consider why there are so many people in the greater region of Appalachia suffering from food insecurity.
“I was raised in a house of giving,” Cardot says. “My father taught me that self-satisfaction starts with service. After years of volunteering, giving and serving, I can say he was absolutely correct. My well-being begins with care for others. I do not give aid to the community for the sake of resumes or just to be seen as a ‘good Samaritan.’ I do all I can for my community because it deserves respect and care, and creating something better makes me better. I can never do enough for my community, but I can start by being present and willing.”
Cardot is also a founding member of Davis & Elkins’ Chapel Student Leadership Team, a student group which leads chapel services on campus every Sunday evening during the academic year under the guidance of Benfield-Vick Chaplain the Rev. Kevin Starcher.
“Faith is the root of my being, so to satisfy my need of service, and with those who also expressed interest, we began the process of creating a community on campus that would worship and serve together,” Cardot says.
Campus Compact 2016 Newman Civic Fellows will represent their higher education institution in a national group of student leaders. The students will receive an award certificate and an invitation to join the Newman Civic Fellows online network. They also will be featured prominently on the Campus Compact national website and, in many cases, invited to participate in state-specific activities.
The Newman Civic Fellows Award is generously supported by the KPMG Foundation and by Newman’s Own Foundation.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
