Unity College Student Rachel O’Brien Wins Maine Campus Compact Award

Unity, Maine -- A Unity College student is among four who will receive the Maine Campus Compact statewide Heart and Soul Award. 
     Rachel O’Brien ’11, an Environmental Science Major from Biddeford, Maine, will be presented with the Heart and Soul Award on April 7 in the Atrium of the Maine State Museum.
     After completing an Earth Day project with a Unity area elementary school as part of her coursework, O’Brien became involved in regular volunteer work with the school garden programs.  The elementary school is not the only place where O’Brien has offered her time and effort to benefiter her fellow Mainers.  She helped to compile an interview-based study on the Unity Food Pantry in Unity, helped to plan and execute the Empty Bowls fundraiser for that pantry, and restructured the Environmental Educators Club at Unity College.

Rachel O'Brien

     Thanks to her efforts, the Environmental Educators Club has expanded its trips and outreach into the community, and will continue to be a strong organization for years to come.  In announcing that O’Brien will receive the Heart and Soul Award, Rachel Dingman of the Maine Campus Compact noted that O’Brien exemplifies the qualities sought in the Heart and Soul Award.
     Maine Campus Compact is a coalition of 18 member campuses whose purpose is to catalyze and lead a movement to reinvigorate the public purposes and civic mission of higher education. 
     Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources.  Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.