College of Communication and Fine Arts

Recognizing leadership Gawronski named Newman Civic Fellow Justin Gawronski, a senior majoring in communication, was named a 2013 Newman Civic Fellow. This award honors inspiring college student leaders demonstrating a desire to find solutions for challenges facing communities. Justin Gawronski (left), seen here with Gen. Colin Powell, was named a 2013 Newman Civic Fellow. 'As SGA president I finally had the means to represent the student voices I care so much about, and I am thrilled to be acknowledged with the Newman Civic Fellow Award.' - Justin Gawronski, senior communications major 4 College of Communication and Fine Arts 2013 Through service, research and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. Gawronski has exhibited these characteristics at CMU by spearheading several projects to educate and improve the campus and local community, most recently as president of the Student Government Association. "As SGA president I finally had the means to represent the student voices I care so much about, and I am thrilled to be acknowledged with the Newman Civic Fellow Award," Gawronski says. Gawronski's SGA administration led a voter registration campaign, educated registered student organizations about diversity-related issues in a strategic planning workshop, and advocated for legislation to support a Women and Gender Center on campus. He also co-chaired the Smoke-Free Campus work group, which assessed CMU's smoking policy by compiling data from a campus-wide survey. In 2011-2012, Gawronski served as the Diversity Committee Chair for SGA, where he authored the legislation that was passed to support gender-neutral housing that now exists at CMU on a case-by-case basis. "Central Michigan University has provided me with countless opportunities," he says. "In my various roles across campus I have learned that everyone has the same mindset: to improve campus for students." After graduation in May 2014, Gawronski plans to attend law school on the East Coast. Newman Civic Fellows are recommended by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. Newman Civic Fellow awards are made in memory of Dr. Frank Newman, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform and who had a passion for educating students to fulfill their roles as active citizens.

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