Christopher Halberstadt

Indiana University East junior Christopher Halberstadt, of Cambridge City, Ind., has been named as a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow for 2015. Halberstadt is a business administration major and minoring in accounting.

Halberstadt joined seven students from across the state of Indiana who received the award during the Indiana Campus Compact meeting held March 26. Nationally, Campus Compact recognized 201 student leaders from colleges and universities across 36 states and Washington, D.C. with the award.

The national award recognizes inspiring college student leaders who demonstrate an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities. The Newman Civic Fellows Award is sponsored by the KPMG Foundation.

IU East Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe was present at the award presentation. She said Halberstadt is a dedicated student leader who is focused on addressing key issues in the region, including economic development and employment.

“Christopher has impressed our community with his quiet professionalism, both on and off campus. He has demonstrated his ability to mobilize other students and community members, and inspire them to become involved in making our community a better place,” Cruz-Uribe said.

At IU East, Halberstadt is the vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA) at IU East. He championed “Service Day in the District” in which he organized students to volunteer in Richmond’s Historic Depot District to help merchants with their needs. He was the liaison to communicate between the business owners and campus partners to plan and implement service projects to benefit the locally owned businesses in the depot. On campus, he has also helped to improve the food pantry available to students through the IU East Center for Health Promotion.

“I have invested time in the campus and community because the community has invested resources in me. I am passionate about my community, and I work to make it lovable. The more invested one becomes in their community, the more valuable that relationship becomes. Being active in the community has a lasting effect and in my opinion, increases self-worth tremendously,” Halberstadt said.

Halberstadt was also a 2014 Summer Research Scholar and completed a study, “A Comparative Study of Wayne County, Indiana and Midwestern Peer Counties on Socioeconomic Indicators,” that compared Wayne County to 10 peer counties on different indicators involving employment, education, industries and other areas.

Halberstadt wrote a paper on the finding with faculty mentor Litao Zhong, assistant professor of economics and finance. They presented the paper at the Indiana Academy of Social Sciences annual conference held at Anderson University.

About Campus Compact
Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility.

About the Newman Civic Fellows Award
The Newman Civic Fellows Award honors inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country. Through service, research, and advocacy, Newman Civic Fellows are making the most of their college experiences to better understand themselves, the root causes of social issues, and effective mechanisms for creating lasting change. These students represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders. They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world.  The Newman Civic Fellows Awards are made possible through the generous support of the KPMG Foundation.

Newman Civic Fellows are recommended by college and university presidents to acknowledge motivation and ability in public leadership. Newman Civic Fellows awards are made in memory of Frank Newman, who dedicated his life to creating systemic change through education reform. Frank Newman’s leadership was selfless, optimistic, and determined, spanning an incredible career of more than five decades. At the core of Dr. Newman’s leadership was a belief in the power of individuals to make a difference and in the power of connection with others. Newman Civic Fellows form a unique network of leaders who will inspire and keep hope alive for one another during college and afterward, as the network expands exponentially each year. Frank Newman had a tremendous impact on American education and its role in the development of citizens who want to make a difference. The Newman Civic Fellows are reflections and affirmations of his life’s work.