RALEIGH, N.C. (November 3, 2016) - Mike Petersen, a volunteer tutor at Wake Tech for more than nine years, has received the United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s the most prestigious national recognition given to a volunteer, and has been awarded to few Americans over the years to recognize more than 4,000 hours of service. Petersen is a tutor in the Individualized Learning Center on Main Campus. He donated 745 hours during the 2015-16 academic year, and a total of 4,177 during his nine years of volunteering at Wake Tech.

 

Petersen was among 13 volunteers with Wake County’s WAVES program (Wake Adults Volunteering Educational Services) who received the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is given to those who donate more than 100 hours a year, and is designed to encourage citizens to live a life of service. Recipients are as follows:

 

1. Dilek Aksit,105 hours

2. Susan Bray,125 hours

3. Judy Bronski, 168 hours

4. Grace Ann Chirico,108 hours

5. Howard Ellis, 103 hours

6. Ross Ferlito, 119 hours

7. Carol Gabor, 136 hours

8. Simon Gitau, 108 hours

9. Johnathan Harter, 226 hours

10. Dorothy McKelvie, 229 hours

11. Mike Petersen, 745 hours

12. Scott Solomon, 270 hours

13. Serena Waters, 154 hours

 

This year more than 130 WAVES volunteers gave their time and talent to help students in Wake Tech’s College and Career Readiness program. That program includes Adult Basic Education, Adult High School, and English as a Second Language. In addition to tutoring, volunteers enrich the learning environment and provide motivation and encouragement for students.

 

In addition, volunteers Harry Fair and John Calcagni, achieved the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their work with students in academic programs. Fair donated 439 service hours, while Calcagni donated 236 hours. They both volunteered in the Individualized Learning Center.

 

Interested in volunteering at Wake Tech? Visit waketech.edu and search for “volunteer.”