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Webb-Johnson Awarded Bush Public Service Award

 By Jenna Kujawski

Gwen Webb-Johnson, assistant professor of K-12 administration, was awarded the 2008 Bush Excellence Award for Faculty in Public Service. She is the first College of Education and Human Development faculty member to receive this prestigious award.

"I believe it takes an entire village to make each of us better servants. The very nature of this university leads the momentum necessary to better serve our culturally and linguistically diverse communities," Webb-Johnson said. "I am proud to be a servant, and I hope that my continued commitment will say to others we can and we must work collaboratively to be vibrant members of our communities."

As part of her outreach efforts, Webb-Johnson speaks to parent groups, school boards, teachers, and most importantly, K-16 students about a variety of topics focused on empowerment in schools and a commitment to social justice in a culturally and linguistically diverse society.

Each year, in celebration of African-American History month, she travels across the nation giving presentations. This past year, she traveled to several places throughout Texas as well as to Illinois, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Indiana, The US Virgin Islands and Florida.

"Gwen gives an incredible amount of service to schools, community groups and churches that support African-American students and their families," Jim Scheurich, head of the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, said.

Webb-Johnson also provides programming that celebrates the contributions of Latino Americans. In addition, she had the honor of accompanying a group of undergraduate students on a weeklong service trip to the children's hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She is also a court appointed special advocate.

Since first being awarded in 2002, the Bush Excellence Awards recognize faculty who have made outstanding international contributions in the areas of research, teaching and public service. The awards are given annually each spring by the Bush Presidential Library Foundation.

Click here to read the article of all 2008 Bush Excellence Award Winners.

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