This year’s Emory & Henry College’s Charter Day Citations went to recipients who’ve been forces for change in the community according to Larry Harley, the speaker at the College’s Charter Day celebration Thursday, March 24th, and the executive director of Southwest Virginia Legal Aid, an organization that provides lawyers to people who have legal problems but lack the financial means to pay a lawyer.
Recipients:
Pamela Kestner, a 1983 graduate, received a citation for 25 years of work with the Council of Community Services in Roanoke. Ms. Kestner was recognized for her career in community service and non-profit work, most recently as president of the Council of Community Services, assisting several charitable and non-profit agencies in the Roanoke Valley. Kestner lists the creation of the Nonprofit Resource Center for Western Virginia as one of the highlights of her career. The center helps nonprofits with grant and networking opportunities, internal management structure and tools to be viable during tough economic times.
Ecumenical Faith in Action, an interfaith charity in Abingdon, got a citation for its community work and for bringing members of different faiths together for a common purpose.
“Emory & Henry transformed individuals, and these individuals in turn change the world,” said Harley. “Put in perspective, it’s not a daunting undertaking. … We do it step by step, enlightened act by enlightened act, issue by issue, battle by battle, one at a time.”