Western Carolina University has been honored with a national award from the American Society of Safety Engineers for best student chapter of the year, which comes with a $6,000 prize to be used for scholarships and student research.
WCU’s chapter was selected from a record 17 submissions for the 2011 Mine Safety Appliance Co. Outstanding Student Section Award, which will be presented at the 2011 Safety Professional Development Conference in Chicago on Sunday, June 12.
“We were impressed with the caliber of the section’s research, community involvement, and development and achievement of section goals and objectives,” said Aaron Bird, chair of ASSE’s student section subcommittee.
Founded in 1911, ASSE is the nation’s oldest professional safety organization. Its more than 33,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. ASSE has 17 practice specialties, 151 chapters, 28 sections and 58 student sections.
“We all value the initiative, collaboration and priorities of these students,” said Linda Seestedt-Stanford, WCU interim provost and senior vice chancellor. “I expect them to continue to be wonderful role models and mentors to other student groups.”
