California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

    Outstanding student and staff receive Inspiration Award

    On Dec. 6, senior coordinator of Student Involvement and Wellness Programs Amanda Namba and senior student Lynzi Tarango received Inspiration Awards during the Sankta Lucia Festival ceremony.

    “[It’s] an award for both Christian commitment and a sturdy moral compass that will influence the life of the community,” said Rev. Scott Maxwell-Doherty, who helped pick the final winners.

    The annual CLU Inspiration Awards began in 1979 when the family of a California Lutheran University alum made a donation to CLU to honor and celebrate those who have steadily inspired others towards intellectual and spiritual growth, while promoting service and leadership.

    Each year, the honor and cash gift are given to one student and one faculty member who best reflect the criteria of the award.

    The Office of Campus Ministry has the responsibility of identifying a series of candidates for the Inspiration Awards. The selection pool is then presented to the president of CLU and the process of awarding a winner takes place.

    Tarango is a global studies and political science double major with a minor in psychology. She has been a peer adviser for two years, works at the Community Service Center, has been a part of multiple Alternative Spring Breaks and is a presidential host on campus. Outside of school, Tarango had an internship in Washington, D.C., over the summer and has been a Junior Fair board member for the Ventura County Fair since she was 15.

    “I like to be very involved here on campus and just in general,” said Tarango.

    The award came as a surprise to the 21-year-old.

    “I felt super humbled by it. You don’t notice the impact you make on people or how other people receive you,” she said.

    For Tarango, her service is influenced by her faith.

    “Constantly challenging myself to grow in my faith really makes service and community part of my core values,” said Tarango.

    “Lynzi really is an influencer,” said Maxwell-Doherty. “She receives challenges with great joy and that joy winds up being infectious to multiple communities that know Lynzi.”

    Namba was born and raised in Thousand Oaks and has a bachelor’s in liberal studies and a master’s in public policy and administration.

    The two recipients had similar reactions when receiving the awards.

    “As soon as my name was called, I was incredibly humbled,” said Namba in an email. “I am very thankful to have been thought of and recognized in this way.”

    She gets her inspiration from the people she surrounds herself with.

    “To this day, my mom still has been someone I continue to look up to,” said Namba. “I have also been very blessed during my time in this role to have had the opportunity to work with several colleagues that have helped shaped and push me into the person I am today.”

    Maxwell-Doherty described Namba’s work ethic as passionate, focused and competent.

    “If you ask her about any one of her projects, she’ll have plan A, B, C and D ready to go,” he said. “She is without a doubt just profoundly reliable.”

     

    Lauren Blachowiak
    Staff Writer
    Published Feb. 6, 2013

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