CCU Receives President's Honor Roll Award for Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service recently named Colorado Christian University to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth. "The concept of community service and ministry work is the heart of who we are at Colorado Christian University," stated CCU Vice President for Student Development James McCormick. "CCU is a culture that loves to serve others and honor God."
Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can receive for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award are chosen based on a series of factors including scope and innovativeness of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.
CCU's notable programs include a ministry requirement of 180 cumulative service hours across each enrolled student's four years at the University, service days completed by incoming students during orientation week, and numerous annual global missions opportunities. Highlighting that most students go above and beyond the requirements set by CCU, McCormick added, "Most students have already surpassed 180 ministry hours by their junior year. The heart of this generation is focused on relationships and service."
The Honor Roll is jointly sponsored by the Corporation (through its Learn and Serve America program) and the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, and the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
In congratulating the winners, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said, "Americans rely on our higher education system to prepare students for citizenship and the workforce. We look to institutions like these to provide leadership in partnering with local schools to shape the civic, democratic, and economic future of our country."
Overall, the Community Service Honor Roll awarded six schools with Presidential Awards. In addition, four schools were recognized as Special Achievement Award winners, 127 as Honor Roll with Distinction members, and 391 as Honor Roll members. In total, 528 schools were recognized. A full list of 2007 Honor Roll members is available online.
"There is no question that the universities and colleges who have made an effort to participate and win the Honor Roll award are themselves being rewarded," said American Council on Education President David Ward. "Earning this distinction is not easy. But now each of these schools will be able to wear this award like a badge of honor."
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. The Corporation administers Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, a program that supports service-learning in schools, institutions of higher education, and community-based organizations. For more information, visit the Corporation for National and Community Service Web site.