Springfield, Ohio -For the 10th time, Â鶹´«Ã½ has been nationally recognized as a higher education institution that is deeply committed to service.
Â鶹´«Ã½ was named to the 2015 Honor Roll in the category of General Community Service with Distinction. This award was based on the university's community service efforts for the 2013-2014 school year.
One of only six Ohio institutions receiving this honor, Â鶹´«Ã½ is joined by the likes of Denison University, Otterbein University and Ohio Wesleyan University.
The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.
Community Service 100 (CMSV100) is a course listed in Â鶹´«Ã½'s general education curriculum. The requirement was created and voted on by faculty in 1988 and has remained an important component of the Â鶹´«Ã½ experience. Every student must register and successfully complete CMSV 100 in one semester before they graduate.
Students complete the service experience with more than 40 community partners. A variety of service opportunities are available with organizations improving the quality of life for the residents of Springfield. Specific issue areas being addressed include food access, educational attainment, emotional well-being and housing.
"The institutional support for service is a main component for getting on the Honor Roll, and on it with distinction," explains Kristen Collier, community service director, Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement. "I think being named to the Honor Roll with Distinction recognizes Â鶹´«Ã½'s commitment to developing civic leaders of service and compassion, as well as our responsibility to form meaningful relationships with the community."
The Honor Roll is a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service's strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical role of higher education in strengthening communities. .
-By Emma Arace '17, Office of University Communications