Westfield State College names Volunteer of the Year

Westfield State College has named Susan Davignon of Blandford as the college’s Volunteer of the Year. Davignon, a clerk in the Academic Affairs department, has been recognized as a participant in the State Employees Responding as Volunteers Program (SERV) program.               SERV provides opportunities for state employees to volunteer and assist in the improvement of the community at non-profit organizations and public entities including schools. The program allows employees to devote one working day a month to community service.              

“The college is proud of Susan Davignon and all our employees who volunteer in the community through the SERV program,” said Evan S. Dobelle, president of Westfield State College. “The college is part of the community and reaching out in ways that help our neighbors is an important part of the college’s mission.”              

Davignon, who has worked at the college for two years, said that SERV is a great way to get involved with the community. She spends a day at Blandford Elementary School every month.  “My son goes to the school. It is a small school and they don’t have a lot of resources,” Davignon said. “I know they need the help, and they are always looking for volunteers. It is a great way to give back to the town.”              

The teachers give her a variety of projects, such as decorating bulletin boards and helping the students.  She reads to kindergarten students in the library and she helped the first grade class with a math project this year.

“I have been volunteering since the SERV program started,” Davignon said. In the past year more than 40 employees of the college gave back to the community by participating in the SERV program. Davignon urges other staff at Westfield State College to get involved with the SERV volunteer program.