C-N Repeats on President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Carson-Newman’s commitment to service includes several Appalachian Outreach Workdays – Saturdays when students give several hours to help repair homes for area residents who are unable or cannot afford routine maintenance.

Carson-Newman College has been named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. It was recognized last year as well.

Carson-Newman was one of 511 institutions honored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual award. Colleges and universities were noted for the impact they make on issues from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice.

“Recognition, particularly at this high level is pleasing, but the life-changing value of service our students learn is most precious to us,” said C-N President Randall O’Brien. “Inclusion on the President’s Honor Roll recognizes that our students are making a difference here and abroad, with programs like Appalachian Outreach and Samaritan House, including international spring break trips, such as a recent one to Bulgaria where students helped build a Christian training center.”

C-N’s Community Service and Service Learning Committee worked with the Campus Ministries Office to compile the data, much of which was obtained through last fall’s service-learning survey.

“Creating high quality service learning and community service projects that enhance the academic experiences of Carson-Newman students is at the heart of the mission of the Bonner Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement,” said the Center’s director, Dr. Nicole Saylor,. “The transformative power of service benefits our students, faculty, staff and the community at large.”

According to the CNCS, Carson-Newman’s “strong ethos of community service” was evidenced in the wealth of missions work and volunteer opportunities and offered to students. Specific programs cited by the organization include the Bonner Scholars program and Operation Inasmuch.