Campus Engaged

College recognized for exemplary service, again

SUNY Oswego has again earned national recognition on the Presidential Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

The new honor roll acknowledges community service activities by colleges in the 2006-07 academic year. Oswego was also listed on the inaugural honor roll for its service in 2005-06.

Civic engagement is an important part of the college’s mission, a pillar of the current strategic plan “Engaging Challenge.” SUNY Oswego is also a founding member of the New York Campus Compact, a commitment to civic engagement, student involvement and community service.

Launched in 2006, the President’s Honor Roll recognizes institutions of higher education that support innovative, effective and exemplary community service programs.

Criteria for selection for the national listing included scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers service-learning courses.

Among the 528 colleges honored nationwide this year, 14 were SUNY campuses. “Whether SUNY students are volunteering and sponsoring programs in the local community or crossing state and national borders to lend a helping hand, efforts made by these 14 campuses and others in the country to help where help is needed is highly commendable,” said Interim SUNY Chancellor John B. Clark. “SUNY students, faculty and staff have a long tradition of service to their communities and this national recognition is much appreciated.”

The complete honor roll is available at www.nationalservice.gov/honorroll.

The honor roll is a federal program co-sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, Campus Compact and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

“Americans rely on our higher education system to prepare students for citizenship and the workforce,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in congratulating the honorees. “We look to institutions like these to provide leadership in partnering with local schools to shape the civic, democratic and economic future of our country.”

Liz Seale, chief operating officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, announced the awards, saying, “College students are tackling the toughest problems in America, demonstrating their compassion, commitment, and creativity in by serving as mentors, tutors, health workers, and even engineers. They represent a renewed spirit of civic engagement fostered by outstanding leadership on caring campuses.”

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(Posted: Mar 05, 2008)