Gail Shampnois, director of UVM’s Office of Student and Community Relations, has won the 2016 Peter Clavelle award from the city of Burlington. Mayor Miro Weinberger, along with other city officials and community partners, honored Shampnois and other award winners in the Burlington community at a “Celebrate Burlington” event held at City Hall Oct. 24.

Named for Peter Clavelle, who served as Burlington’s mayor from 1989 to 1993 and from 1995 to 2006, the award recognizes individuals whose leadership has advanced social equity, environmental stewardship, quality education or economic growth and vitality in Burlington.

“For over 20 years, Gail Shampnois has played a vital role in connecting UVM students and Burlington community members in positive and constructive ways,” said Annie Stevens, UVM’s vice provost for student affairs. “That has led not only to steady improvement in relations between the two groups and an overall enhanced quality of life, it has also helped our students grow as individuals and as thoughtful and engaged citizens. We’re delighted she received this award. It is well deserved.”  

At the Celebrate Burlington ceremony, Mayor Weinberger praised all four award winners as special members of the community.

“Tonight we honor our award winners and acknowledge the citizens who make Burlington a great place to live, work, and play,” he said. “I join the community in congratulating our honorees, whose engagement serves as an inspiration to other Burlingtonians to continue the vital work of improving our wonderful community.” 

Programs that were launched by the Office of Student and Community Relations during Shampnois’ tenure, in conjunction with partners in the community, include:

• Spring Move Out. This project diverts from 11 to 20 tons of goods that had been traditionally left on city green belts and eventually sent to the landfill during student move out each year. Instead, students and area residents bring clothing, books, household items, furniture, and non-perishable food items to a community recycling and swap event. 
• Off-Campus Living Workshops. The workshops are held in the fall of each academic year and prepare students to be successful Burlington tenants and residents.
• Community Coalition. The group meets monthly throughout the academic year. Students, neighbors, landlords, city officials, and UVM and Champlain College staff and administrators meet to discuss neighborhood concerns; opportunities to develop community; and ways to take action that will result in systemic change. Shampnois co-chairs the coalition every year with the chair of the Committee on Legislative and Community Affairs of the UVM Student Government Association. 

Others receiving awards from the city at the Celebrate Burlington event were: Peggy O’Neill, a bike/walk and parent activist, who received the Herb Bloomenthal Award; Maggie Standley, artist and educator, who won the Burlington Community Arts Award; and Marija Valencak, member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee of the Community Justice Center, who received the Ken Schatz Award.