Geist area native and Butler University junior Matt Pauszek received the 2015-16 John Weidner Endowed Scholarship for Altruism during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Awards Day April 16.

Pauszek received the honor in recognition of the extensive volunteer work he’s been involved with in the community.

A risk management and finance major at Butler, Pauszek serves as the lead community volunteer for the Patachou Foundation, which provides for food and education for families in Indianapolis. He also volunteers with Gleaners Food Bank, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the U.S. Dream Academy, an after-school and mentoring program.

“In his essay, Matt wrote about ideas of kinship, dialogue and responsibility to others, and he reflected quite thoughtfully on his mission to fulfill the values and ideals John Weidner embodied and what the award means to him,” stated Jess Butler, an instructor in the Dept. of Sociology and Criminology and Butler’s Core Curriculum. “We are proud to select a student as deserving as Matt for this honor.”

The award’s namesake, John Weidner, was a Dutch citizen who saved the lives of approximately 1,000 Americans, British Dutch, Belgians and French fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II. He was honored by five governments following the war and, following his death in 1994, his wife Naomi launched a foundation honoring his altruistic spirit.