Newman University has again been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary service to America’s communities. The inclusion of Newman on the 2010 Honor Roll comes two years after the university was recognized in the 2008 list. Newman is one of only seven colleges and universities in Kansas and the only university in Wichita selected for inclusion on the 2010 Honor Roll.
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 support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs. Nationwide, only 641 colleges and universities were selected this year for their impact on issues ranging from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth.
“We are thrilled to again be named to this prestigious honor roll, and proud of our students, faculty and staff whose efforts have brought this national recognition,” said Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. “Service is one of the four Core Values of this university, and is at the heart of what we do and teach.”
Newman students collectively perform thousands of hours of service work each year. For the 2010-2011 academic year, students logged 17,600 hours on service projects including holiday season toy and food drives for needy families in the area, and trips to Crownpoint, N.M., and East St. Louis, Ill., to perform work for underprivileged families. Students also served in places as diverse as the Lord’s Diner, Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis Street, the Kansas Humane Society, Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary School, and others.
Of the many students who performed some sort of service or service-learning project during the academic year, about 185 were “service scholars,” or students who performed service projects as part of a scholarship program. Of that total, 75 were ASC Community Leader Scholars, or members of a program named for the university’s founders 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 Adorers of the Blood of Christ 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 a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and is sponsored by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the USA Freedom Corps, and the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development. The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is presented during the annual conference of the American Council on Education.
