FSU Student Benjamin Forrest Honored as 2018 Newman Civic Fellow

Mar 28, 2018 10:50 AM

Frostburg State University sophomore Benjamin Forrest was chosen by Campus Compact to be honored as the 2018 Newman Civic Fellow, which acknowledges motivation and potential in public leadership. Forrest is one of the 268 students who were honored among all Campus Compact institutions.

Forrest, of Hagerstown, is a double major in political science and mathematics. He is the Student Affairs Committee chair in the FSU Student Government Association this year and was recently elected president of SGA for next year. He is also a student alumni ambassador, helping to build connections between alumni and the current student body.

“On campus, my focus is advocating for students’ interests and well-being, and doing what I can to build bridges that can mitigate the political polarization that is dividing our country,” Forrest said. “In the community, I am committed to partnerships to address poverty and the hurdles it presents for those who are trying to create better lives for themselves and their families.”

“Ben Forrest is a student leader committed to ensuring that students’ voices and perspectives are represented in decision-making at the University,” said FSU President Ronald Nowaczyk. “He has demonstrated a deep commitment to alleviating polarization between groups.”

Forrest is the second Newman Fellow from FSU. Senior James Kirk is spending the current academic year participating in the fellowship.

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a one-year experience emphasizing personal, professional and civic growth. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including a national conference of Newman Civic Fellows in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. The fellowship also provides fellows with access to apply for exclusive scholarship and postgraduate opportunities. The Newman Civic Fellowship is supported by the KPMG Foundation and Newman’s Own Foundation. For more information, visit the Campus Compact web site.