The Kathryn Lasky Award for Public Service recognizes the student or student team whose performance in the major exemplifies the highest achievement within the goals of the program and whose work in service to community demonstrates the best uses of disciplinary practice. Eligibility includes Communication, Media Studies, and double majors in Communication and Media Studies.
2023 Recipients
Alexandria Lecrone
Lex’s story as an undergraduate follows the classic quest of the gifted student of many interests finding her passion at last – in this case, the world of library science. Which makes it particularly fitting that her capstone work, coming at the close of a long series of service projects, comprises a poster series documenting the many valuable contributions of the USM Libraries supporting the success of all members of the university community. Lex notes that, “I come from a history of my life being transformed by the things available to me from the USM libraries and staff,” adding, “there are few spaces so acutely aware of the needs of the individuals it serves.”
Nolan Lyne
As a media student about to enter the world of work, Nolan sums up his feelings about the future like: “There are always people out there doing great work for the better of their communities and the planet. We need these important stories to be told, and we need people to hear them.”
One such story is Nolan’s origins documentary for Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, an organization that began by protecting just 20 acres more than forty years ago. “What started as this small project has grown into over 3200 acres of conserved land in the surrounding area. Along with that, they have blossomed into a community-based organization, hosting farmers markets throughout the summer, maintaining Crystal Spring farm as a working agricultural resource, and educating people from all generations on the importance of land conservation.”