Chester, Pa.–Widener University has been named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
Widener was recognized “with distinction,” an honor bestowed on only 18 percent of institutions recognized in the Honor Roll. Widener has been named to the Honor Roll every year since its inception in 2006.
“To receive this honor five consecutive years is a tribute to the students, faculty and staff of Widener University and their dedication to our civic engagement mission,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “It is also a testament to the willingness and enthusiasm that the communities we serve have for partnering with Widener on these initiatives. These initiatives are successful because we all work together as one.”
Widener has launched a number of civic engagement initiatives in the city of Chester including the Widener Center for Violence Prevention, Social Work Counseling Services, the Widener Partnership Charter School, the College Access Center of Delaware County and the Chester Education Foundation to name a few. In addition, the university started an Academic Service-Learning Faculty Development Program in fall 2004, which has grown to include more than 50 Service-Learning Faculty Fellows who have developed courses that embed civic engagement in the undergraduate learning experience.
“To receive this honor five consecutive years is a tribute to the students, faculty and staff of Widener University and their dedication to our civic engagement mission,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “It is also a testament to the willingness and enthusiasm that the communities we serve have for partnering with Widener on these initiatives. These initiatives are successful because we all work together as one.”
Widener has launched a number of civic engagement initiatives in the city of Chester including the Widener Center for Violence Prevention, Social Work Counseling Services, the Widener Partnership Charter School, the College Access Center of Delaware County and the Chester Education Foundation to name a few. In addition, the university started an Academic Service-Learning Faculty Development Program in fall 2004, which has grown to include more than 50 Service-Learning Faculty Fellows who have developed courses that embed civic engagement in the undergraduate learning experience.
Last year, Newsweek named the university among the top service-minded colleges and universities in the nation. Widener has also ranked among the top 100 institutions in the annual Washington Monthly rankings since the magazine’s inaugural college issue in 2005. In addition, Widener was among the first universities in the nation to be categorized as a “community engagement” institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2006.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), which administers the Honor Roll, 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, 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 Widener University 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.”
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. Other institutions in the five county Philadelphia region honored “with distinction” include Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University.
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.
CNCS 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.
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