For the fifth year in a row, Oglethorpe University has been named to the 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.  OU is the only school in Georgia to make the general honor roll five years in a row.

The Corporation for National and Community Service administers the annual Honor Roll award, and recognizes more than 600 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth.

“Congratulations to Oglethorpe University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities,” said  Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS.  “We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service.”

Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.

How We Made the Grade:

During the 2009-2010 school year,

• 601 students engaged in community service through OU’s Center for Civic Engagement.
• 108 volunteer projects were completed and 8,798 volunteer hours were contributed through CCE projects and programs.
• 180 students participated in a service-learning class

OU’s students have volunteered with many projects inside and outside Atlanta. 2009-2010 volunteer projects included Orientation Day of Service at Historic Oakland Cemetery; Hands on Atlanta Day at Austell Tornado Relief, and the Alternative Winter Break to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity, among many others.