Members of the Wartburg College and Waverly communities were recognized for their commitment to civic education and community service at the SEED Coalition annual awards ceremony on April 9 at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
Katie Steinlage, a senior majoring in biochemistry, received the Presidents’ Student Civic Leadership Award, which recognizes a student or a student organization that models a deep commitment to civic responsibility and leadership through initiative, collaboration and community building. As a three-term Student Senate recorder, Steinlage has redefined they role by merging administrative excellence with passionate civic leadership. She also chairs Student Senate’s Political Action Committee, promoting voter registration, sharing Constitution Day trivia and helping secure a satellite voting station on campus.
The Presidents’ Civic Educator Award, recognizing a faculty or staff member who models civic responsibility by supporting students’ civic development and strengthening a culture of engagement on campus, was presented to Abbylynn Helgevold, assistant professor of religion. Helgevold models civic responsibility by transforming ethics into actionable global engagement. Her classroom centers on discourse, teaching students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world interactions. Beyond the classroom, she proactively supported the campus during the 2024 election and moderated presidential debate watch parties, fostering constructive dialogue. By leveraging her deep community connections, she introduces diverse perspectives to campus events, ensuring students engage with complex issues through thoughtful inquiry.
Retrieving Freedom received the Presidents’ Community Partner Award, which recognizes a community-based organization that has enhanced both educational and community outcomes through sustained, reciprocal partnerships with campus. RFI has enriched the Wartburg experience through sustained collaboration with the Department of Social Work as well as the Institute for Leadership Education. RFI provides students with invaluable real-world perspective while educating students about veterans with disabilities and children with autism. The reciprocal partnership with RFI has evolved into the newly founded student-led Wartburg Service Dog Club, offering diverse engagement opportunities including hosting campus events to provide socialization for service dogs in training, supporting fellow puppy-fosters and educating the community about service animals.
Community Builders was the recipient of the President’s Community Collaboration Award. recognizing a project or initiative co-created by campus and community partners that showcases meaningful collaboration and exemplifies the campus’s civic and community engagement, contributing to both student learning and community well-being.
The Community Builders initiative exemplifies a meaningful, evolving partnership between Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School and the college’s Institute for Leadership Education. A MacJannet Prize winner, the program meets on campus to reinforce lessons learned from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” The Community Builders relationship highlights students as engaged citizens and thrives by adapting to district needs, ensuring that all Community Builders participants develop the essential leadership skills to flourish, contributing to both student learning and community well-being.
The SEED Coalition works to provide connection and resources to higher education campuses working toward civic and community engagement. Presidents’ Awards recognize outstanding contributions in civic and community engagement by students, faculty, staff, collaborative teams and community organizations.
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