North Park Receives National Recognition for Community Service

CHICAGO (February 25, 2010) – For the second consecutive year, North Park University was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary service efforts to the Chicago community. Launched in 2006, the Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, recognized more than 700 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice. Students at North Park joined faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs, combining skills gained in the classroom with a passion for social justice. A few of the University’s notable service efforts in 2009 include its annual Community Service Day, a Music for Peace Festival, a sponsored walk to fight human trafficking, and a number of additional campus fundraising efforts and independent student initiatives.

“Our nation's students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face,” said Patrick Corvington, the Corporation's CEO. “They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service.”

In 2009, 3.16 million students performed more than 300 million hours of service, and college students continue to make a significant contribution to the volunteer sector, the Corporation reports. Each year, it invests more than $150 million in fostering a culture of service on college campuses across the country.