For the sixth year in a row, Fairfield University has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by a federal agency that leads President Obama's call to service initiative.

Launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Honor Roll annually recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.

Melissa Quan, associate director of Fairfield's Center for Faith and Public Life and director of service learning, said the University has made the Honor Roll every year since its inception. "It celebrates institutions that are civic-minded and that integrate community engagement in teaching, research, and co-curricular activities - hallmarks of a Jesuit education," she said. "Every year we are able to highlight exemplary community-university partnerships involving a wide-range of community organizations and departments and programs across campus - from athletics, to campus ministry, the Quick Center, and many academic courses and research projects - attributing to Fairfield's ongoing recognition."

In 2011 alone, Fairfield students devoted more than 31,000 hours to community service. For Fairfield, service involves such efforts as the School of Nursing's Health Promotion Center for Older Adults, and BASE Camp, an overnight camp open to female, Bridgeport high school students intrigued about the natural sciences and mathematics. There's also Hunger Cleanup - now in its 24th year - that involves the efforts of Fairfield University students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and community friends. Other initiatives include service-learning courses like the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions course that supports literacy efforts at the Cesar A. Batalla Elementary School in Bridgeport. In addition, an array of service trips organized by different areas of the University - from Campus Ministry to University Activities to student clubs - work in partnership with communities to address social challenges domestically and abroad.

The Corporation for National and Community Service engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads United We Serve.

Images: Fairfield's selection to the 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is recognition from the highest levels of the federal government of its commitment to service and civic engagement. Pictured here is a Fairfield student who took a Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions course that supports literacy efforts at the Cesar A. Batalla Elementary School in Bridgeport.

Posted On: 04-10-2012 11:04 AM

Volume: 44 Number: 261