Southwestern University is one of 20 colleges and universities in Texas that have been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2008.

The honor roll program, which was launched in 2006, recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs. It is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Southwestern has been named to the Honor Roll every year since the program was started. The new Honor Roll, which was released Feb. 9, covers the 2007-2008 academic year.

Criteria used to select institutions for the Honor Roll include student participation in service activities, the extent of academic service-learning courses, and alumni participation in programs such as AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps.

During the 2007-08 academic year, about 60 percent of Southwestern students participated in some form of community service - more than twice the national rate of 30 percent reported by the Corporation for National and Community Service. These students contributed an estimated 15,602 hours of service to 77 different agencies.  

“Year after year, Southwestern students add tremendous value, energy and innovation to organizations doing important work for the Central Texas community,” said Suzy Pukys, director of civic engagement. “The President’s Honor Roll affirms that our students continue to set a high public service standard at state and national levels.”

Several current Southwestern students will share their experiences with civic engagement at a session to be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, as part of the program for Family Days weekend.

A total of 635 colleges and universities nationwide were honored this year for their community service. For more information on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, visit www.nationalservice.gov.