SU Student Named 2016 Newman Civic Fellow

SALISBURY, MD---In just his first year, Salisbury University student Benjamin Lenox already has made quite an impact on “inclusiveness” across campus.

For his efforts, he has been honored as a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education. The award honors undergraduate and graduate students who have taken action toward long-term social change and who inspire others in their communities.

An international relations and political science double major from Odenton, MD, Lenox has been an advocate for LGBTQAI issues on campus. He presented a request to SU’s administration to review policies related to gender-inclusive housing. He also benchmarked other state institutions and helped facilitate discussions with SU’s Student Government Association (SGA) to support greater inclusion across campus.

In addition, he helped make the SGA itself more accessible by advocating for a change to its constitution that now permits any student to run for executive office. He has worked with SU’s Counseling Center to promote mental health awareness; assisted with state lobbying efforts for higher education funding; and volunteered for SU’s “I Love Salisbury” cleanup event, which builds connections with the community.

“The world we live in is dynamic and diverse. … I believe that my generation has been charged with the task of bringing us all together,” he said.  “Communities must come together and stand for what is right, giving voices to those whom history has attempted to silence, and fight for the equality and inclusion of all peoples. Beautiful things can happen when people unite under a common banner to induce positive change.”

Lenox was one of only 218 students honored nationwide. At SU, he is a member of the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program.

“We are seeing a resurgence in student interest in acting to create lasting social change, and this year’s Newman Civic Fellows exemplify that commitment,” said Campus Compact President Andrew Seligsohn.

The award honors the late Frank Newman, who was an advocate for the role of higher education in preparing students for active and engaged citizenship. He founded Campus Compact in 1985 with the leaders of Brown, Georgetown and Stanford universities; today it is comprised of nearly 1,100 colleges and universities that educate students in ways that deepen learning and improve community life.

Civic engagement and service are pillars of an SU education.

For more information, call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.