OSU Institute of Technology CAT® Dealer Prep student Hanna Burl has a passion for serving her community. Her willingness to positively impact lives in her rural Kansas hometown is why she has been named one of the 173 students be recognized as a 2022 Newman Civic Fellows Award winner.

“Hanna has learned that it takes patience, humility and an open heart and mind to promote social change in your community,” said Dr. Bill Path, president of OSUIT. “I’m proud to have Hanna as a student on our campus.”

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes students who stand out for their commitment to creating positive change in local communities and around the world.

“I've always wanted to help others,” said Burl. “It is very rewarding and fulfilling to be able to help those in need, especially children.”

She desires to improve the quality of life for everyone around her. One of the ways Burl gives back is by providing emergency medical services as a volunteer paramedic and EMT. She has also spent countless hours organizing and teaching community members and other EMS personnel the life-saving certification of CPR.

“My decision to help my community has opened my eyes to the high demand for volunteers and foster parents,” she said.

Burl’s passion for advocating for children and families struggling to overcome difficult circumstances led to her family opening their home to provide foster care to children in need of a safe, temporary home.

Through her experience as a foster parent, she has become a valuable mentor for vulnerable children and their families. Burl feels honored to have helped while a struggling mother overcame her addiction to be lawfully reunited with her children.

Students are provided with learning and networking opportunities that emphasize personal, professional, and civic growth through their fellowship. They can also attend training events that build on their leadership skills and abilities to create large-scale positive change.

After graduating from OSUIT, Burl plans to apply her leadership skills and knowledge gained through the CAT® Dealer Prep program to progress in her career and continue to contribute to the success of those around her.

“I've learned a couple of lessons along the way, such as the extremely fortunate upbringing I had as a child,” she said. “I've learned how to be patient, and that sometimes in life, all you need to get out of a rough situation is for someone to believe in you, even if that someone is you.”