College of Mount Saint Vincent Recognized for AIDS Awareness Initiative

10/20/2005

University of Mount Saint Vincent students won the Outstanding Educational Program Award at the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. The award recognized the College’s week-long AIDS awareness program held during the first week of last December, in conjunction with World AIDS Day.

The initiative, coordinated by sophomore William Gaudet, is titled “…Because One Day Isn’t Enough” and offered a variety of activities, workshops and events designed to inform members of the College community about the global AIDS pandemic. Gaudet, 20, developed and implemented the program in December of 2004 to inspire greater social awareness and to motivate community members to advocate for victims of the disease. The week’s events included free HIV testing, a panel discussion regarding the effect of HIV/AIDS in the Hispanic community, a trip to attend the Broadway musical RENT and a display of a portion of the National AIDS Quilt.

NACA is the nation’s largest collegiate organization for campus activities; the Mid-Atlantic region is comprised of colleges and universities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C. and eastern Ontario, Canada.  NACA Outstanding Program Awards are judged on several factors including: budgeting and resource management, publicity and marketing efforts, and evaluation and assessment of program goals.

This year’s “…Because One Day is Not Enough” will take place November 28 through December 2 at the College. Contact the Office of Student Life (718) 405-3226 for more information.