http://www.manhattan.edu/news/news_releases/051911_1.shtml
May 19, 2011
MANHATTAN COLLEGE RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
RIVERDALE, N.Y. –– As colleges across the country honor their graduates this commencement season, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) recently honored Manhattan College as a leader among institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. Manhattan College was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, including Manhattan College, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.
“As members of the class of 2011 cross the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their communities and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions,” said Patrick A. Corvington, chief executive officer of CNCS. “Congratulations to Manhattan College and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities. We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service.”
Derived from its Lasallian Catholic roots, Manhattan College strives to instill a commitment to service in every student that attends the College locally and internationally. Manhattan College offers volunteer opportunities including the Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Experience (L.O.V.E.), which allows students to serve around the world. Students also participate in tutoring and free income tax assistance programs, volunteer at blood and toy drives, Habitat for Humanity and much more. In addition to volunteer options available on campus, Manhattan College brings service learning into the classroom from students working with community organizers on housing issues to mechanical engineering students designing products to benefit senior citizens with limited mobility, and other community engagement projects.
“Our listing on the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll acknowledges Manhattan College’s longstanding emphasis on integrating social justice and public service in the classroom and within the campus community. We are pleased to be recognized for excellence in this important aspect of our mission,” said Brennan O’Donnell, Ph.D., president of Manhattan College.
A total of 851 institutions applied for the 2010 Honor Roll, a nine percent increase over last year, a sign of the growing interest by colleges and universities in highlighting their efforts to engage students in making a difference in the community.
On campuses across the country, millions of college students are engaged in innovative projects to meet local needs, often using the skills learned in classrooms. In 2009, 3.2 million college students dedicated more than 307 million hours of service to communities across the country, service valued at more than $6.4 billion. Business and law students offer tax preparation and legal services, and college student volunteers provide meals, create parks, rebuild homes after disasters, conduct job training, run senior service programs and much more.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a strong partner with the nation’s colleges and universities in supporting community service and service-learning. Last year, CNCS provided more than $215 million in support to institutions of higher education, including grants to operate service programs and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for college tuition and student loan repayment. CNCS is a catalyst for service-learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula. Through these programs, in classes and in extracurricular activities, college students serve their communities while strengthening their academic and civic skills.
CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.
For a full list of recipients and descriptions of their service, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.
About The Corporation for National and Community Service:
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
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