Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, March 03, 2016, Page 5

Cara Smith, a Child Life instructor in the Childhood Education and Family Studies Department in Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, has been selected to receive the 2016 Award for Excellence in Study Away Programming in the cultural competence category.

The award was established to recognize faculty who demonstrate excellence in designing and leading short-term study away programs taht influence the development of tomorrow's global leaders.

In addition to a trophy, Smith will be presented in $1,500 in professional development funds and her name will be included on the plaque in the Study Away office listing the names of past and future awardees.

This summer will mark the third summer that she has led six-week trips to Capetown, South Africa, where Child Life students volunteer in the Red Cross Children's Hospital there that serves much of the southern half of the continent.

In addition, students have the opportunity to learn about the culture of the country with trips to places of interest around the country, including taking part in a short safari experience.

Smith is the daughter of Alan and Valle Smith of Mount Ayr.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2016