Washington Rotary presents service awards
The Rotary Club of Washington presented its Avenues of Service Awards last week at a luncheon at Washington & Jefferson College.
James M. Longo, professor and chairman of the education department at W&J, received the John L.S. Northrop Vocational Service Award, which recognizes an individual who adheres to and promotes the highest ethical standards in his or her occupation.
Longo’s primary areas of research, writing and teaching, include gender equity in the classroom, the theory of multiple intelligences, creating the inclusive classroom, the role of women in history, and the teaching and learning experiences of presidents and first ladies as students and teachers. He also supervises W&J students during their student teaching semester.
The vocational service award includes a $1,000 grant to be given to the charity of Longo’s choice.
Receiving the Roy R. Gillespie Community Service Award was Michael “M.J.” Markley. The award recognizes a member of the community who has been active in volunteer efforts and excels in performing charitable activities across all social and economic levels.
Markley helped form a coalition to fight the opioid epidemic. Now known as the Washington County Fight Against Heroin, it has become an online forum intended to educate the public on the opioid problem. He also launched Harmony Life Center, a drop-in recovery center in the city of Washington.
The community service award includes a Paul Harris Fellow $1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation.
Buba Misawa, professor of political science and the director of International Studies at W&J, received the Andrew G. Uram International Service Award, which recognizes a individual who has provided humanitarian relief abroad or worked to promote world understanding and peace.
Misawa is the founding president of the Western Pennsylvania Africa Foundation (WePaFo), which serves the needs of West African countries and communities. WePaFo provides support services, books, medical supplies, funds and scholarships, as well as educational and leadership programs, to West African citizens.
The international service award includes a Paul Harris Fellow $1,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation.