Note: This is the ninth story/announcement in the CoSIDA Special Awards feature series which will highlight all 2013 Special Award recipients. All recipients will be honored at the
CoSIDA Convention (June 12-15) in conjunction with the NACDA and Affiliates Convention at Orlando's Marriott World Center.
See the full list of recipients and features schedule.
by Scottie Rodgers
Ivy League Associate Executive Director, Communications
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
These simple words by Winston Churchill speak volumes when describing the simple, often overlooked act of lending a hand to someone in need or helping contribute to a worthy cause.
That willingness to make a difference is something that comes naturally for Jamie Baldwin, now in her eighth year as Director of Athletic Communications at Michigan State University and the 2013 recipient of the
CoSIDA Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award.
The honor is annually bestowed upon a CoSIDA member for civic involvement and accomplishments outside of the sports information office. It is voted on by the Special Awards Committee
. It
is named for former Gettysburg College Sports Information Director Kenworthy, a COSIDA Hall of Famer who was the first recipient of the award.
Baldwin will receive the award on June 14 during the
2013 CoSIDA Convention in conjunction with the NACDA and Affliates Convention taking place at the Marriott World Center in Orlando.
The willingness to give back comes naturally to her because it was a vital part of the way she was raised in Schenectady, N.Y., watching her grandparents and immediate family help others because taking care of people, as they would say, is always the right thing to do.
"When my grandfather passed away, so many people went out of their way to remind my family how much my grandparents had given of themselves," said Baldwin. "I did not grow up in a family of great means, but I was raised to believe that taking care of people is something you can do, even in small ways."
Baldwin's enthusiasm to care of others extends throughout all areas of her life -- at work, at home and in her profession.
Since the day she arrived on the East Lansing campus, she has been a stalwart in encouraging Michigan State student-athletes to be engaged and stay engaged with the local community.
Activities such as Teams for Toys and Relay for Life are just two of the many examples of community service endeavors Baldwin has volunteered her time to work in concert with the MSU's Student-Athlete Development department.
The consummate media relations professional, Jamie encourages current Spartans to understand the power of making positive impacts on the lives of others. But Baldwin not only talks the talk, she walks the walk if the need arises. When a family in need did not have a Spartan team to adopt them through the Teams for Toys program, she selflessly volunteered to adopt the family herself rather than ask another group to double up. As MSU's involvement in the program has grown over the year, her dedication to the program has not waned. Each year, she seeks out deals on children’s clothing or games and brings those items to the event to spread a little cheer during the holiday season.
"Jamie has been incredibly committed to community engagement with our student-athlete population and it has been noted and valued," said Shelley Appelbaum, Michigan State Senior Associate Director of Athletics. "MSU Athletics is appreciative of Jamie's leadership, organizational skills and compassion as she has worked diligently to connect our student-athletes and staff with meaningful community outreach activities."
One program that has become near and dear to Baldwin is the Spartan Buddies Program, which in turn helped create the Shoot for the Cure charity with the MSU men's ice hockey team.
To understand the impact of this program is to know the story of 16-year old Brandon Gordon. A hockey player himself, Brandon was a big MSU hockey fan and was very excited to get a visit from the team at Sparrow Hospital where he was waging his fight against cancer. After just one visit, Brandon and his family soon became a part of the MSU hockey family. Over the better part of two seasons, including the Spartan's national championship run in 2007, Brandon and his family became entwined with the team, and a fixture around the program. Baldwin was involved every step of the way, providing the family with countless opportunities to come and see everything involving MSU hockey.
Jeff Lerg, a senior captain on that national championship team who became particularly close with Brandon, recalled one moment that truly captures the essence of the Spartan Buddies Program.
After serving as an honorary captain and dropping a ceremonial puck for a game against archival Michigan, Brandon turned to Lerg and said, "I am happy I got cancer because my life was never this cool before.”
Sadly, Brandon lost his fight with cancer just months later, but there is no doubt that Baldwin and the Spartan hockey team made a significant impact Brandon's life in a very positive way. And to make sure his life was celebrated in a way that would bring a smile to his face, Baldwin worked tirelessly with Brandon's family to have his memorial on campus at Munn Ice Arena.
"It has been over four years that Brandon has been gone; however, Jamie's kindness carries on with her help with Brandon's Defense Foundation and her direct interaction with Sparrow Hospital," said Julie Gordon, Brandon's mom. "She goes above and beyond in everything she does while always smiling, even in very stressful moments."
Baldwin's passion for giving extends beyonds campus into the local community as well in her involvement in the Okemos public school system, in particular at the school where her 10-year old stepson, Gage, attends. Active in the school's Parent-Teacher Organization, she has done everything from chairing Family Fun Night and Field Day events to organizing fundraisers for earthquake victims, endangered animals, cancer patients, and essential classroom supplies. She also offers her time in the classroom, the library and during special events - all the while with a "can do" attitude and with a smile on her face.
Within the CoSIDA community, Baldwin's impact has been felt as a long-standing member of the Programming Committee and as the driving force behind the Young CoSIDA (YC) Charity Raffle, which takes place on an annual basis at the CoSIDA Convention.
She organizes and collects donations from around the country each year for the raffle and coordinates shipment of the donated items to the convention site. In four years, the YC Charity Raffle has raised nearly $4,500 for four different charities -- San Antonio Food Bank (2009), St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco (2010), St. Matthew’s House in Naples, Fla. (2011) and St. Patrick Center in St. Louis (2012). In addition, she has been an active participant in CoSIDA's community service initiatives, namely volunteering at the food bank in San Antonio and walking in the 5K fun run/walk in Marco Island.
Whether on campus, in the community or with colleagues, Baldwin makes a her life on what she gives to others. For once, time has come for her to be on the receiving end -- as the 2013 recipient of CoSIDA's top community service honor, the Bob Kenworthy Award.
"I have been blessed with a family who personifies value of giving and lucky enough to find so many people along my path at MSU who have been moved to think of and do for others," said Baldwin. "The coaches, staff members, and student-athletes at Michigan State are heroes to some, and inspirations to others. I have found similar levels of generosity in the SIDs who have done so much to help with our YC initiatives. I feel blessed to have so many people who have, in so many ways, allowed me to be a part of their passions to help others."