ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan University Athletic Department's Rise Against Hunger partnership received third place among the 22 finalists for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
Each year, the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selects the Award of Excellence winner based on actions over the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. The top three finalists were announced Saturday at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
Roberts Wesleyan student-athletes held their inaugural meal-packing event to help address both local and global hunger needs in 2022. Through a Redhawks fundraising event, they were able to raise $5,000 for this initiative, which gave them the opportunity to pack and box 13,176 single-meal packets. These meals were received by ORPHANetwork, a Rise Against Hunger partner, and distributed in Nicaragua.
This is the second time in three years that Roberts has been recognized. Roberts was the grand prize winner in 2021 for its work with Golisano Children's Hospital.
"I am so proud of our entire athletic department for their efforts with Rise Against Hunger and every aspect of our Redhawks Reachout initiative," Roberts Executive Director of Athletics Bob Segave. "Roberts Wesleyan University was founded on the principle of education for character and it is very gratifying to see our student-athletes, staff and university community continue to connect with each other and those around the globe to make a difference in the lives of others."
Roberts will receive $1,000 and a banner to display for its efforts. Minnesota State University was the 2023 grand prize winner and Cedarville University placed second.
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