Phillips Named Newman Civic Fellow

2016 May 17

Central Methodist University student Lyndsey Phillips has "always been the girl who loves helping others," a personal quality that resulted in her selection this spring as one of only 218 students from among 1,100 schools nationwide to be honored as Newman Civic Fellows.

The prestigious recognition honors college student leaders "who have demonstrated their investment in finding solutions to the challenges that face our communities throughout the country." It is bestowed by Campus Compact, a non-profit organization created in 1985 by Frank Newman, then president of Brown University, along with the presidents of Stanford and Georgetown universities. The purpose was to "foster students' involvement in public service and as democratic change-agents."

The comment that Lyndsey "loves helping others" was included in her formal nomination for the honor by CMU President Dr. Roger Drake, as required of the president of each college or university nominating students for recognition.

Additionally Drake noted that "Lyndsey has devoted herself to service and leadership" on the campus and "has donated her time to a long list of causes" off campus, such as library book drives, the local food pantry, fundraising for American Heart Association and the Children's Miracle Network.

Lyndsey's faculty advisor, Dr. Jeremy Reed, associate professor of English, initially proposed her nomination as a Newman Civic Fellow and assisted in documenting her qualifications.

"Lyndsey is a talented student who is dedicated to making the world a better place," Reed said. "Her desire to help others is matched by her work ethic, and I'm excited to see her bring those gifts, as well as her leadership abilities, to the Newman Civic Fellows program."

President Drake formally presented Lyndsey with the Newman Civic Fellows Award certificate in a special ceremony on campus May 13, with staff and faculty present and students who had been attending a special lunch for this year's graduating class.

The daughter of Todd and Dee Phillips, Lyndsey grew up in the small (population 419), close-knit Mississippi River community of Bloomsdale just north of historic Ste. Genevieve. "My dad inspired me to help the community," Lyndsey said. "Growing up, we were always helping others.

"One of my favorite things, that we still do as a family, is get together a Christmas dinner and presents for a family with children who are in need ... My dad, mom and aunt all help others and give unselfishly of their time," she said.

That sense of community social conscience and concern for the welfare of others carried over when Lyndsey entered Central Methodist University as a freshman and set a goal of earning a double major in English and theatre arts. "I want to be a middle school English teacher," she explained and added, "I want to teach kids that they can make a difference. By inspiring others to help, I believe I can make an impact on the world through the volunteer work of others.

"Sometimes kids, even adults, think they are just one person and can't do much, but if every person who felt passionate about a social concern talked to others and got them to help, we could change the world," she said.

In her freshman year, Lyndsey was a founding member of a campus group called The Interactors, which was inspired by a class called Interactive Theatre that encouraged students to use their personal abilities to assist in resolving social issues such as physical and emotional abuse. "It's a very important topic especially for teenagers and young adults to be aware of," she noted.

In her three years at Central, Lyndsey has also been active in a number of campus organizations, holding various offices in Alpha Psi Omega, Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Phi Omega, CMU Young Americans for Liberty and Omicron Delta Kappa.

She will graduate in May 2017, after which she plans to seek a teaching position. She hopes eventually to teach English abroad. "Maybe I'll do that right after graduation," she added. "I'll figure out where I'm being called and do that."