Saint Leo University Honored for Community Service

Fifth Consecutive Year for Saint Leo

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Saint Leo University as a leader among institutions of higher education for Saint Leo’s support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. Saint Leo 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, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award. Saint Leo is in the Honor Roll category.

 “Congratulations to Saint Leo 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,” said  Patrick A. Corvington, chief executive officer of CNCS.

Saint Leo University students and faculty at University Campus volunteer during two Community Service Days each year, when they go out to work in teams at area nonprofits. Additionally, athletic teams and many clubs work on nonprofit activities of their choosing throughout the school year. The same is true at Saint Leo continuing education centers throughout the Southeast, where students, faculty, and staff respond to local needs with volunteer projects and drives.

“Earning a place on the Honor Roll once again demonstrates how committed Saint Leo University is to service to the broader community,” said Saint Leo President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. “The overwhelming majority of our students, faculty, and staff take our values of community and responsible stewardship to heart and contribute their time, talents and treasure to improve our communities, nation and the people of the world who are in need,” Dr. Kirk said.

A total of 851 institutions applied for the 2010 Honor Roll, a 9 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.

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.

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.