Tuesday, June 07, 2011

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is moving up in the honor roll world. Having been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service honor roll each year since its inception in 2006, the university was included this year on the "Honor Roll with Distinction." The national recognition, awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is given to schools that are leaders among institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service learning and civic engagement.

"Being placed on the honor roll with distinction is a wonderful way to affirm our students' commitment to giving back," said Donna Chapa Crowe, director of the Center for Leadership Education and Service at UNCW. "It is evidence that UNCW students are committed to becoming more engaged and helping give back to communities."

UNCW students have a strong sense of civic responsibility and volunteerism, Crowe said. More than 7,000 students contributed more than 70,625 hours to volunteer and service learning projects during 2010-2011, which is more than 20,000 more hours reported than last academic year. The economic value of that community service alone exceeds $1 million.

"Our faculty and staff purposefully incorporate service learning and community service activities into all aspects of the UNCW learning experience," Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo said. "We want our students to become active citizens who care about and contribute to the world they will one day lead."

UNCW was among 10 UNC campuses that were recognized by the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measureable results in the community. UNCW is one of three UNC campuses to earn special accolades by being admitted to the "honor roll with distinction." Elizabeth City State University and North Carolina Central University were also included.

Many of UNCW's community service projects are coordinated through the Center for Leadership Education and Service (CLES), which provides opportunities for students to be involved in civic engagement and leadership development activities.

The Corporation for National and Community Service selects the honor roll each year to recognize institutions of higher education for their commitment to and achievement in community service. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers academic service learning courses.

Media Contact:

Emily Jones, Media Relations, 910.962.3171 or jonesel@uncw.edu