Adjunct faculty member honored for volunteer service
The following content first appeared on the news page while UMass Global operated under its former name of Brandman University.
IRVINE, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2020) - Adjunct faculty member William Hess, a Marine Corps veteran who teaches courses for the School of Business and Professional Studies, received the prestigious Daily Point of Light Award on Nov. 6. He earned the award for his role assisting Floridians in the aftermath of 2018’s Hurricane Michael.Hurricane Michael, according to the National Weather Service, hit the Florida panhandle with a category 5 rating in October 2018. The hurricane caused 16 fatalities and roughly $25 billion worth of property damage.
Hess provided his account of his volunteer service to Points of Light. He participated in relief efforts while working with ToolBank USA, an Atlanta-based organization that lends tools to people who are recovering from natural disasters.
“We were doing a community clean-up event at a cemetery in Lynn Haven, Florida which had been destroyed in the hurricane, and a retired Navy captain came up to us,” Hess told Points of Light. “The man explained that his wife was buried there, and he was quite emotional as he thanked us. As we worked to get the area back to pre-Michael conditions, it gave us a sense of pride. (Volunteering), it’s not about the tools, it’s about the emotional connection that made somebody’s day better.”
The George H. W. Bush Administration gave its first Daily Point of Light Award in 1990. Points of Light, a nonprofit organization, presently selects winners.
###
ABOUT BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY
Brandman University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. As part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with innovative programs and support services designed for students with busy schedules. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, credential and certificate programs designed to be relevant to more than 90 career paths. Brandman serves about 22,000 students, about 14,000 of whom are degree-seeking students, at 25 physical campuses in California and Washington, as well as online. Brandman offers fully-online courses for students anywhere in the United States and for military personnel serving abroad. For additional information, visit the university’s website.
Media Contacts:
Terri M. Carbaugh, Brandman University Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs: Carbaugh@brandman.edu
Andrew Edwards, Brandman University Senior Multimedia News Writer: Edwards1@brandman.edu
Become a Student
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs, financial aid, or next steps?