Newman University has been named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary service to America’s communities. This marks the fourth time Newman has been named to the prestigious national honor roll.
Newman is one of only five colleges and universities in Kansas and the only university in Wichita selected for inclusion on the 2013 Honor Roll. The 2013 honor roll is based on community service performed in 2012.
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. The program recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that reflect the values of community service through innovative service projects and service-learning programs, and that achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Nationwide, only 690 colleges and universities were selected for this year’s honor roll for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and service learning.
“This honor is truly a testament to the values of Newman University, and the commitment of our students, faculty and staff to the university and the greater community,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “To have received this recognition for the fourth time is very gratifying.”
The announcement was made earlier this month in Washington, D.C., by officials from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the U.S. Department of Education, which administer the program.
“Congratulations to Newman University, its faculty and students for its commitment to service, both in and out of the classroom,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “Through this type of work, institutions of higher education are helping improve their local communities and create a new generation of leaders by challenging students to go beyond the traditional college experience and solve local challenges.”
Newman students collectively perform thousands of hours of service work each year. For the 2011-2012 academic year, students logged more than 243,000 hours on service projects including helping underprivileged children receive vision care, vaccinations and health screening, creating blankets for lower income families, blood drives, holiday season toy and food drives, and an annual trip to Crownpoint, N.M., to perform work for underprivileged families. Students also served in places as diverse as the Lord’s Diner, local hospitals, homeless shelters, elementary schools, and others.
Of the many students who performed some sort of service or service-learning project at Newman during the academic year, several were “service scholars,” or students who performed service projects as part of a scholarship program. Approximately 125 students were ASC Community Leader Scholars, or members of a program named for the university’s founding and sponsoring order the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC), who participate in leadership and service classes as well as providing community service.
The culture of service at Newman begins in the institution’s mission, which charges the entire university to a commitment of empowering graduates to transform society through engagement and service. Catholic social teaching also directs the institution to base all decisions on the common good, with the goal of developing and empowering people. The mission and charism of the ASC focus on empowerment, fostering oneness, and celebrating life. The Newman University Core Value of Service is an outward manifestation of these principles.
The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is presented during the annual conference of the American Council on Education.
View the full list of 2013 recipients, or learn more about the program.