Commitment to community service pulses through the heart and soul of Peoria native R. Scott Lavick, whose dedication to volunteerism has earned him DePaul University’s 1999 St. Vincent de Paul Senior Leadership Award.

The award recognizes outstanding graduating seniors who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and who actively participate in all aspects of campus life. The honor is normally granted to as many as four seniors, but this year, Lavick was the unanimous choice of the selection committee as the single most deserving member of the senior class.

The Rev. Daniel Thiess, C.M., said, "DePaul is about teaching values for life. Scott has embraced these values and is now teaching others through a life of leadership."

Lavick’s example includes two years as a mentor in DePaul’s Discover Chicago freshman orientation program, two years as the campus Habitat for Humanity project coordinator and two years as a leader for DePaul’s alternative spring break service trips. An honors student majoring in history with a philosophy minor, Lavick has also been a member of the track and cross country teams.

He is a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, director of scholarship and philanthropy for the Interfraternity Council and winner of the council’s Community Service Award. This year, he worked with DePaul’s Community Service Association and fraternities and sororities from several Chicago universities to host a Halloween party that provided 250 inner-city children the opportunity to trick-or-treat in a safe environment.

"Scott is a talented and dedicated leader whose contributions to the DePaul community are immeasurable," said Stephen Hall, associate director of Student Life.

The award, a bronze plaque bearing the image of St. Vincent de Paul, will be presented to Lavick at a June 11 senior leadership banquet.

St. Vincent was a 17^th century French priest who founded the Congregation of the Mission, the religious order commonly known as Vincentians, which operates DePaul University. From Vincent’s teachings emerged DePaul’s distinctive mission: to foster through higher education a deep respect for the God-given dignity of all people, especially the materially, culturally and spiritually deprived, and to instill in its students a dedication to the service of others.

Note to Editor: Scott is available for interviews at work at 312/362-5015.