Social work major Bailey Hazouri recently won the state-wide 2015 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Student Award. Hazouri was nominated by Belmont faculty members and an application sent by University President Dr. Bob Fisher for her continued commitment to community service.
Hazouri is co-founder of the Edgehill Neighborhood Outreach Program and has been active with this group since 2012. Working in a diverse community near Belmont’s campus, she leads a variety of events bringing food, fun and extended learning to the community through tutoring, activities and coordination of meals for children and families. Her work is entirely voluntary and comes from her personal faith commitment to improve the quality of life of those within the neighborhood.
Hazouri’s passion for service shines through in everything she does. ”Mr. Love was a man who lived out his calling to love others in tangible practical ways, and I am honored to be placed in a category as someone who tries her best to love and serve people to the best of her ability,” said Hazouri. ”I hope that in receiving this award, the voices of all those children and families I work with in Edgehill will be able to become more heard…that their stories of perseverance and hard work will be shared and that the gap between neighbors will become smaller.”
The State of Tennessee Higher Education Commission gives the award annually to five faculty or staff members and five students in Tennessee higher education institutions. Individuals selected to receive recognition represent the many dimensions of community service, volunteer work and public and charitable service, as well as leadership roles in community organizations. Each recipient receives $1,000 and serves as an ambassador for community service among the many diverse higher educational communities in Tennessee.
As Associate Provost Beverly Schneller put it, “Hazouri has illustrated and models the type of student leadership, thoughtful Christian action and dedication to serving others that are hallmarks of excellence as a person and as a student.”
