Washington University has been named to the 2007 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
“We at the Gephardt Institute for Public Service, which acts as the University’s nexus for service, are continually impressed with the depth and breadth of community involvement by our students, faculty and staff,” said Robin Hattori, program director at the institute. “They dedicate substantial hours and apply their talents to impact the environment, education, health care and more. Being named to this honor roll confirms that civic engagement and community service are primary values of the University.”
The honor roll, launched in 2006, recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs. It 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 Gephardt Institute applied in the fall for the recognition. “We estimated the number of hours of service provided by our students through community service activities as well as service-learning courses,” Hattori said.
The application highlighted numerous WUSTL community service projects, including the University-wide blood drives, Relay For Life, Engineers Without Borders and Service First. It also showcased programs that support improved high-school graduate and college readiness of youth from disadvantaged circumstances, such as Each One Teach One College Bound, Latino youth mentoring programs, the Campus Y Youth University Program, the Wellston School District collaboration and the Latino Empowerment Team alternative spring break.