Central College was named a finalist for the President’s Award for Community Service by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Central is one of only 16 schools to receive the finalist designation, and one of four finalists in the category of General Community Service.
This nationwide designation is part of the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. In total, more than 760 higher education institutions were named to this year’s Honor Roll. From that group, 16 schools are named as finalists for the President’s Award, the highest federal honor a higher education institution can receive for its commitment to community service. This year, Central joins elite institutions such as University of Pennsylvania, Loyola University Chicago and Bryn Mawr College in achieving the finalist designation.
“We are honored to be among the 16 finalists,” said Mark Putnam, Central College president. “Our academic community places a high value on service and strives to integrate experiential, hands-on learning throughout everything we do.”
Central was selected for this honor because of its strong institutional commitment to volunteer service. Every year, students perform service with a wide variety of organizations throughout Iowa and around the world, through Central’s programs for global experiential learning. During the 2012-2013 school year, more than 1,300 Central students engaged in some type of community service. These students completed 95,428 hours of total community service. Based on the Independent Sector’s estimate of the value of an hour of volunteer time, these hours amount to over $2 million.
Central’s Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBL) is an example of the institutional support for service at Central College. For example, students work with refugee families in Des Moines, helping them to learn English. They also work with older adults in Pella, assist at-risk youth in various communities, and coordinate an all-campus day of service at Central each spring.
Cheri Doane, director of community-based learning, said opportunities like these help students obtain hands-on experience while serving the community.
“Community-Based Learning allows students to develop creative problem-solving skills, and to gain real-world experience and connections,” Doane said. “All members of our campus community join with our central Iowa partners to produce extraordinary outcomes for students, and we appreciate the national recognition that the honor roll represents.”
Central has a history of distinction in community service, having been named as a finalist for the President’s Award in 2012, and appearing on the honor roll with distinction in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.
“We appreciate being recognized for this honor, but it is important to remember that our success is due in large part to our community partners, who provide extraordinary learning experiences for our students,” Doane said. “We depend on the involvement of our entire campus community — as well as more than 100 community partners — whose work benefits the common good.”
Central was also named to the 2014 Honor Roll with Distinction in a second category, education. A complete list of this year’s winners can be found at www.nationalservice.gov/HonorRoll.
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.
