UNF: Caring Awards

Each year since 1992, students have been nominated by their professors, supervisors or mentors to receive two prestigious awards. These students embody the spirit of caring, volunteerism, and humanitarianism. Finalists are chosen for each award and invited to an awards luncheon sponsored by Bank of America. These esteemed awards have been made possible through the generosity and establishment of an endowment by Hugh Jones, friends of Albert D. Ernest, Jr. and Barnett Bank of Jacksonville, N.A. (now Bank of America) for the Albert D. Ernest, Jr., Caring Award and the Bill and Angie Halamandaris Caring Internship at the Heart of America Foundation in Washington, DC.

The Albert D. Ernest Jr. Caring Award

The Caring Award committee seeks to recognize a UNF student who embodies the spirit of caring, volunteerism, and humanitarianism. The award is an opportunity to recognize and honor the bright, dedicated, and selfless individuals who take the time and strive to make the world a better place to live. Students are supported in the application process by a nomination from a professor, supervisor, and/or mentor.

The UNF student who is selected for this prestigious award will receive a stunning bronze sculpture created by the late Frank Eliscu, nationally known sculptor, and designer of the Heisman Trophy, the Oval Office's Presidential Eagle and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recipient will be honored during commencement and will receive a donation made in their name to a charity of their choosing.

Applicants must be:

Enrolled at UNF either full or part time
A junior, senior or graduate student in good academic standing at UNF
Involved in university activities providing direct services to others and/or similar direct service involvement

Applicants must demonstrate:

A commitment to volunteer service
Initiative and innovation in problem solving
Persistence in overcoming obstacles
Advocacy for change that alleviates, or considerably improves, the status quo
Continual caring exhibited in duration and impact of student's active contribution

Application

Students should apply by submitting the application, a 500 word essay and a letter of recommendation from a professor, supervisor, or mentor via AcademicWorks.

Submit a general application via AcademicWorks if not already done so. Once the general application is submitted, search for “Albert D. Ernest, Jr. Caring Award” under Other Recommended Opportunities to apply.

The Selection Committee will include representatives from UNF and the Jacksonville community. Finalists will be interviewed in-person and invited to attend an awards celebration in November.

For questions, contact Dr. Mary Yuskis, Director of Donor Engagement and Stewardship, at (904) 620-5384 or mary.yuskis@unf.edu.

The Halamandaris Caring Internship / Washington, D.C.

Located in Washington D.C., Heart of America (HOA) transforms learning spaces, bridges the resource gap, and strengthens communities to give all students room to dream, discover, and thrive. For 25 years, HOA (www.heartofamerica.org) has designed and renovated 800+ community spaces including public libraries, athletic facilities, technology labs, workforce development centers, and schools across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada; distributed over 4.3 million books to more than 2 million children, and infused $7.5 million in learning technologies into under-resourced communities. In addition, HOA has engaged over 500,000 volunteers in turnkey, community service.

This scholarship awards a UNF student an opportunity to intern at Heart of America for eight weeks. The intern will also receive a housing allowance and travel expenses to/from Washington, D.C. and will be involved in a variety of projects designed to support Heart of America’s mission. Students are supported in the application process by a nomination from a professor, supervisor, and/or mentor.

Applicants must be:

Be enrolled as a junior or senior in good academic standing at UNF
Complete a FAFSA and demonstrate some degree of financial need
Agree to enroll in and complete at least one Business Ethics course:
PHI 2630; PHI 3641; MAN 4064 or HSA 4553

Applicants must demonstrate:

A commitment to volunteer service
Initiative and innovation in problem solving
Persistence in overcoming obstacles
Advocacy for change that alleviates, or considerably improves, the status quo

Application

Students should apply by submitting the application, a 500 word essay and a letter of recommendation from a professor, supervisor, or mentor via AcademicWorks.

Submit a general application via AcademicWorks if not already done so. Once the general application is submitted, search for “Halamandaris Caring Internship” under Other Recommended Opportunities to apply.

The Selection Committee will include representatives from UNF and the Jacksonville community. Finalists will be interviewed in-person and invited to attend an awards celebration in November.

For questions, contact Dr. Mary Yuskis, Director of Donor Engagement and Stewardship, at (904) 620-5384 or mary.yuskis@unf.edu.

2017 Halamandaris Internship Recipient

Amani Marar

"You funded a trip that afforded me invaluable growth, both personally and professionally.

Thank you for showing me the world through a different lens."

marar standing in a truck full of building supplies