Eureka College Receives National Recognition for Community Service

For the fourth consecutive year, Eureka College has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary community service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education gives the recognition to institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service learning and civic engagement. Eureka College is among 25 Illinois colleges on the list.

“Receiving this recognition for a fourth year in a row demonstrates the college’s commitment to serving the needs of our communities through incorporating community service as an integral component of students’ undergraduate experience,” said Shari Rich, director of applied learning. “This year in particular, the programs highlighted in our application represent significant collaborative efforts taking place throughout our campus. This affirms that Eureka College is truly living our mission of striving for excellence in learning, service and leadership.”

Three Eureka College service projects that were highlighted in the college’s application for the honor roll were an interfaith alternative spring break trip for Eureka College students of several faiths led by Eureka College Chaplain Bruce Fowlkes, which focused on helping address hunger issues at organizations in Seattle; the Bearded Men Knitting Hats organization that raises money for Woodford County Heartline and Heart House by selling handmade hats; and a variety of service projects done by freshmen during the first week of school.

The total number of reported community service hours by Eureka College students during the 2013–2014 academic year was 5,627, according to Rich.

A total of 766 U.S. colleges and universities are included on the honor roll. Criteria for inclusion include the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call-to-service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.