Campbell Hennessy didn’t begin volunteering in order to be recognized.
When asked why he contributes to his community, the fourth-year computer systems engineering student has a hard time answering the question.
“Normally we are asked how we contribute as opposed to why,” he says. “After much reflection I can only come up with what feels like a simplistic answer – I like to help people.”
Hennessy’s desire to help others is now being recognized. He has been named the second recipient of the Adrian D.C. Chan Award for Volunteer and Community Service.
The award was created by Chan, an associate professor in the the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, to recognize community contributions by Carleton engineering students. Besides maintaining high marks, recipients must display excellent volunteerism outside the classroom.
Hennessy displays these characteristics through an extensive list of community involvement. On campus, he has volunteered more than 2,300 hours to the Carleton University Student Emergency Response Team (CUSERT). He received the 2011 Andrew Dunbar Beyond the Call of Duty award and the 2012 CUSERT Directors Achievement award.
He has also served as a tour guide, summer orientation leader, TA, lab assistant, residence fellow, and research assistant during his time at Carleton.
“I feel that (I should help people) because I am fortunate enough to have the training and the time,” he says.
Hennessy doesn’t only make an impact through his role as a campus leader. He has also done search and rescue response for the Canadian Coast Guard for a number of years.
“There is an immense satisfaction in being able to provide assistance to people in distress,” he says. “I want to be for others what I hope others would be for me if the situation was reversed.”
After he leaves Carleton, Hennessy says he hopes to continue making positive impacts in his community.
