A lifelong volunteer and advocate for community involvement, and a graduating student whose passion is helping the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community overcome food anxiety are the recipients of this year\u2019s Alfred L. Davis Distinguished Public Service Awards.<\/p>\n
The awards will be given at 4 p.m. April 7 in University Gallery in Booth Hall. All are welcome to attend.<\/p>\n
Shawna Lusk<\/a>, senior associate director of student belonging for Campus Life<\/a>, will receive the 2026 Four Presidents Distinguished Public Service Award for \u201cexemplifying the spirit of sustained, impactful public service through her extensive leadership, grassroots involvement, and unwavering commitment to community benefit,\u201d as was written on her nomination for the award.<\/p>\n Lusk said she\u2019s always found ways to give back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the right thing to do,\u201d she said. \u201cI have the ability to make a difference for others, whatever that looks like. We all have the responsibility to care for the least among us.\u201d<\/p>\n Prior to Lusk\u2019s arrival at RIT in 2007, she founded the Dog Park Association of Greater Lafayette (Ind.), successfully raising more than $50,000 and securing land for a community dog park that remains active today. In addition, she served on the board of directors of Wolf Park, an education and conservation facility in Battle Ground, Ind.<\/p>\n \u201cI love animals. I have multiple animals of my own,\u201d she said. \u201cThey bring joy and comfort and add peace to our lives, and they are an incredibly powerful part of the ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n From 2016 to 2024 she volunteered as a wish granter, enabling life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses through her work with Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York.<\/p>\n Lusk is the founding president of the board of directors for Safe Way Homes of Greater Rochester, which supports safe housing for women, children, and men in crisis. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors for Connect and Breathe, a non-judgmental, after-abortion talk line.<\/p>\n Lusk said she was surprised to learn she was being recognized for her community service.<\/p>\n \u201cI nearly fell off the chair. I was very shocked,\u201d she said. \u201cIt feels very special to be recognized for the work I would be doing regardless of if I was recognized or not.\u201d<\/p>\n And she\u2019s pleased that she can help recognize the organizations she\u2019s involved with, particularly Safe Way Homes and Connect and Breathe, which will share her $2,500 award.<\/p>\n Helping tackle food insecurity\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n This year\u2019s recipient of the Bruce R. James \u201964 Distinguished Public Service Award is Janeva Mosher, of Danville, Calif., who plans to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in community development and inclusive leadership<\/a>.<\/p>\n