Park University's student chapter of the National Education Association recently won two state awards, including one for a project that raised money for schools in tornado-damaged Greensburg, Kan.

The Park SNEA chapter, which includes about 35 members, was awarded the "Outstanding Chapter Project" during the Missouri NEA Student NEA/FEA (Future Education Advisors) Conference, Feb.15-16, in Lake Ozark, Mo.

The award was in recognition of the chapter's "Pennies for Greensburg" project, which raised funds to help pay for books and supplies to support students and teachers in Greensburg schools. The tornado that hit Greensburg in May 2007 destroyed the town, including school buildings, books and supplies.

Also, the "Exceptional State SNEA Advisor" award was given to Betty Bennett, associate professor of education at Park and director of field services within the School for Education. Bennett, the former president of the Park Hill (Mo.) School District NEA, has been the Park SNEA advisor for more than five years.

"The Park SNEA members have greatly benefited from Bennett's exemplary leadership," said Josephine Agnew-Tally, associate dean of the School for Education.

The Missouri NEA has 34,000 members, including elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. In all, the NEA represents an estimated 3.2 million members.

For more information about the SNEA awards given to the Park SNEA chapter, contact Agnew-Tally, at (816) 584-6335 or josephine.agnewtally@park.edu.