Service Learning Center Wins Award

The c in Tech truly stands for caring campus, according to The Corporation for National and Community Service.

Tennessee Tech University earned a place on this years Presidents Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to local communities. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.

The Tech family realizes we are part of a larger community that often needs our time and talents, and our students, faculty, staff and administrators have always had a tradition of serving others, TTU President Bob Bell said. We appreciate the recognition because it is another affirmation that we are reaching our potential as a caring campus.

Theresa Ennis, TTUs University Service Center director, says the university fulfills its mission to students through volunteer opportunities.

Students are gaining critical thinking skills through active participation in real-world situations, enhancing interpersonal skills, and developing civic responsibility through active community involvement, said Ennis. I believe it is so important that our students are exposed to community service activities and take on these responsibilities to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

TTUs University Service Center recorded that almost 2,500 students engaged in community service or academic service learning in the 2007-08 academic year. Those students logged more than 10,200 hours in volunteer work.

Major projects included cleanup efforts in Macon County after tornados devastated the area and a Habitat for Humanity build during fall semester. Examples of other projects include an Adopt-a-Grandparent program, Thanksgiving dinner contributions, and book, clothing and food drives.

Recent studies have underlined the importance of service-learning and volunteering to college students. In 2006, 2.8 million college students gave more than 297 million hours of volunteer service, according to a Volunteering in America 2007 study. Expanding campus incentives for service is part of a larger initiative to spur higher levels of volunteering by Americas college students.

Overall, the corporation honored six schools with Presidential Awards. In addition, 83 were named as Honor Roll With Distinction members and 546 schools as Honor Roll members. In total, 635 schools were recognized. A full list is available at www.nationalservice.gov/honorroll.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Service
• Learning