SLIPPERY ROCK — John Bonando, Slippery Rock University's assistant vice president for student services, will receive this year's Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Slippery Rock Rotary Club.

The community service award will be presented at an Award ceremony April 28.

It honors Bonando's civic leadership, especially his role in bringing new businesses to Slippery Rock and advancing community revitalization projects.

"He's always trying to bring the students and the townspeople together," said Paul Suorsa, a Rotary Club member and a past club president, in a news release.

Slippery Rock Rotary will donate $1,000 in Bonando's name to the Rotary Foundation for service projects. The Award is named after Paul Harris, who founded the Rotary.

The Award goes to a community leader who is not a member of the Rotary.

"I have been fortunate to work with numerous Slippery Rock people who are dedicated to continuously improving our community," Bonando said in the news release. "The author Margaret Mead once wrote, 'Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. ¿ For it is the only thing that ever has.' Slippery Rock is that group of committed people. On their behalf, I accept this honor."

Bonando, a New Jersey native who joined SRU in 1985, has been involved with numerous organizations, including the Helen Gaiser O'Brien Addiction Center, Slippery Rock Development Inc., the Slippery Rock Township Zoning Board, the American Cancer Society and the Jaycees. He also was a Slippery Rock School Board member for four years.

Bonando first was the director of student activities at the SRU university union. He then worked as assistant dean for student affairs and director of student life prior to his promotion to assistant vice president.

He now manages the area of student services. He also created SRU's Dr. Helen "Susie" Knierim Leadership Institute and helped create SRU's emergency and disaster response plan.

He and his wife, Rita, live in Slippery Rock with their three daughters.