The 2009 Summer Service Award has been granted to Tihitina Dagnew, a junior at Manchester College. Tihitina will spend her summer working in Montana with the Domestic Abuse Program of the District IV Human Resources Development Council.  The program offers a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse, victim/witness advocacy, legal assistance, violence intervention groups, and community education.

In May 2009, Tihitina won the highly competitive honor of Outstanding Student Leader of the Year at Manchester College. She is president of the Manchester College International Association, a member of the mock trial team, serves on the Conduct Review Board and Student Alumni Council, and works as student assistant to the President’s Office and as a programmer for the Office of Multicultural Services. Tihitina is majoring in Political Science and Economics and plans to attend law school. She is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopa.