LEGACY AWARD (inaugural) | HOWARD AND EVANSTON COMMUNITY CENTER
On April 23, 2020, the Howard and Evanston Community Center (formerly Howard Area Community Center) in Chicago, Illinois, awarded the inaugural Legacy Award to Evangeline Semark. A long-time friend of Howard Area, Evangeline spent more than a decade as a valued leader on the HACC Board of Directors, including six years as President of the Board.
During her time as president, she was deeply committed to centering issues of social justice and equity in the Center’s programs, culture, and policy. Her service as Board President was commended by the Illinois House of Representatives in May, 2019. Evangeline retired from the Board in December, 2019, yet remains an ardent supporter of the Center’s work and the Rogers Park community where she and her son Yakez lived before moving to Evanston. Her unwavering support of Howard Area, its staff, volunteers, and program participants, ensures the continued success of the organization in serving Rogers Park and its neighboring communities.
Photo Credit: DePaul University College of Communication
Outstanding Service to the Community | DePaul University College of Communication
The Outstanding Service to the Community award recognizes College of Communication alumni who exemplify living the DePaul Vincentian mission by demonstrating sensitivity and care for the needs of the community. The Award recognizes those who engage cultural, social, and ethical values in service to others.
The College of Communication presented Evangeline with this award in March 2018. She was honored for her commitment to using a social justice framework to achieve nationally recognized racial and gender equity work in the ETHS school community. She was also honored for her nonprofit volunteer work in the greater Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago through her years of service leadership at the Howard Area Community Center, as well as her activism in Humboldt Park and on the Island of Puerto Rico through her studies at DePaul.
Distinguished Communicator Service Award| Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association
In 2016, INSPRA recognized 33 individuals and teams representing a range of public education stakeholders in multiple categories. Entries were judged by national school public relations chapter members against criteria of excellence, and only those receiving top scores in a variety of areas received awards. INSPRA President Cathy Kedjidjian noted that the Distinguished Communicator service award is not given every year, highlighting that the school public relations industry “recognized one of its own” in 2016, honoring Semark as the sole recipient.
“In just over five years, Evangeline significantly overhauled and redefined the district’s communication office to better meet the needs of all stakeholders,” remarked Kedjidjian during the awards ceremony held on May 12, 2016. “By putting students and families first, Evangeline has been instrumental in creating a professional, inviting, and responsive communications office [at ETHS].”
Richard J. Meister Scholarship Recipient | Irwin W. Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning at DePaul University
The Richard J. Meister scholarship lies in the tradition of DePaul scholars who critically reflect on societal issues and problem-solving methods to achieve societal goals and engage in service within the local and/or global community. Evangeline joins a long list of recipients who have demonstrated a commitment to issues of social justice, community service and responsibility, and academic excellence.
Leadership Evanston Graduate | Evanston Community Foundation
Evangeline joined a long list of other distinguished graduates after successfully participating in the 2011 Leadership Evanston cohort. Each year, the Evanston Community Foundation recruits a diverse group of 30 participants to participate who live and/or work in Evanston, who have displayed the capacity for community leadership and are motivated to take increased responsibility for Evanston’s future.
Recognition of Service | Gang Alternatives Program
Evangeline was honored for providing her volunteer marketing design services in support of the Gang Alternatives Program in Los Angeles. This work included the development of new logos and brand, the creation of a new website and web content development, and promotional materials to launch the new brand and website.
HCSC President’s Award | Health Care Service Corporation (BCBSIL/NM/OK/TX)
The HCSC President’s Award recognizes outstanding employee contributions in supporting the company’s vision and mission. Evangeline was recognized for consistently delivering innovative, human-centered design solutions to better serve customers and help improve two-way communication within the organization.
