Gutoskey Earns Chamber Volunteer of the Month Award

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University knows how much Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life Dave Gutoskey does for the community. Now, so does the rest of Salisbury.

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce named him Volunteer of the Month for May, citing his leadership roles with several local organizations including St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and Wicomico County Parks and Recreation.

Originally from northern Ohio, Gutoskey moved to the Eastern Shore 10 years ago to begin work at SU.

"My professional passion is working with college-age students," he said. "I find working with this group during these difficult growing years is both intensely challenging and rewarding."

While at SU, Gutoskey has coordinated the Residence Life Adopt-a-Highway Program and is president-elect and current vice president for Mid-Atlantic College and University Housing Officers. Outside of the Housing and Residence Life office, Gutoskey is an active volunteer in Wicomico County.  He first got involved with volunteering in high school.

"All sophomores had to complete one semester service project," he said. "I chose to work at Hope House, a small day care for children who had been abused.  That was a powerful experience."

After that semester, Gutoskey became more aware of the tremendous impact volunteers have and has given his time to non-profit causes ever since. At St. Francis, he serves on the Maintenance and Auction committees and chairs the Traffic Committee. He is also a third-degree knight with the Knights of Columbus, an organization he has been with for the past seven years.  For the past three years he has assisted in coaching girls' softball through Wicomico County Parks and Recreation.

Gutoskey is heavily involved with the Salisbury Festival Committee and has been for the past seven years. He is a valuable resource between the University and the Chamber of Commerce during the planning phase of the festival, handling all of the weekend’s security through coordination with SU.

Three years ago Gutoskey began bicycling to raise money for cancer research. He joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training after his grandfather was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. Last year, his brother-in-law was stricken with brain cancer, which encouraged Gutoskey to become involved with the Lance Armstrong Foundation Tour of Hope.

When not volunteering or assisting students with housing and residence life issues, Gutoskey enjoys spending time with his family. He is grateful for their support of his volunteer efforts and encourages others to give back to their community, as well: "Volunteering in any community is a powerful tool.  It not only provides an opportunity for individuals to give to others but also to learn something about others."

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.