Central College was named to Honor Roll with Distinction in three categories for the 2015 President’s Award for Community Service by the Corporation for National and Community Service. This nationwide designation is part of the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Central earned the honor for each category entered: general community service, education and interfaith service. The three categories together drew more than 900 applications.
Central has a strong record of distinction in community service, having been named as a finalist for the President’s Award in 2012 and 2014, and appearing on the honor roll with distinction in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014. The Honor Roll recognizes institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.
“Given our deep and abiding commitment to service, it’s very affirming to once again be recognized in the President’s Honor Roll,” said Central College President Mark Putnam. “We know that service animates student learning by integrating the experiential opportunities offered through our community partners with all they learn in the classroom, studio and lab on campus. It’s a powerful learning combination.”
Highlights for the 2015 Honor Roll include Central’s pilot year of the “Social Justice in the City”
program in New York City, which combined academic coursework with internships related to social justice. Students served at sites including Intersections International, Habitat for Humanity, Middle Church programs, Theatre for Engagement and Action, and U.S. Pakistan Interreligious Consortium. In the same year, Central College President Mark Putnam introduced a series of chapel observances exploring themes of international understanding, peace, social justice and sustainability. Throughout the year, Central students completed 71,850 hours of service.
Supporting Central’s many opportunities for meaningful service, the college maintains close relationships with more than 120 community partners in the region. More than 45 academic courses across 15 departments include semester-long components in service learning, and Central provides transportation to ensure every student can participate. Many students also complete custom-designed service opportunities, using their unique skills to enhance community partners’ work in specific ways, such as grant writing, research, managing websites and planning events.
“There is almost no limit to the creative service endeavors that can take place,” said director of community-based learning Cheri Doane. “Professors and students know they can dream big because of the strong network of community partners and support from the Center for Community-Based Learning. Students can contribute to the greater good while developing skills, preparing for a career and expanding their understanding of important issues. When students have great ideas to meet community-identified needs, we want to make it possible for them to accomplish that vision.”
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes institutions of higher education that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships. CNCS has administered the award since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact and the Interfaith Youth Core.
