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President's honor roll notes University's multiple community service initiatives

CHICAGO (March 27, 2013) — Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ is among 26 Illinois colleges and universities named to the , honoring leading U.S. higher education institutions and their students, faculty and staff for commitments to make their communities better through service.

"One of the exciting developments we highlighted this year was the continued growth of service-learning initiatives as part of our engagement in the community," said , urban outreach coordinator, . "Faculty members continue to find creative outlets for students to serve in the urban context while fostering learning opportunities." University Ministries provides logistical support for many projects, and helps identify partnerships between departments working to facilitate service-related opportunities, Kohng added.

"Very few awards capture the spirit of who we are as an institution of higher education committed to contributing to the welfare of our city than the president’s honor roll," said , director of University Ministries. "The University recognizes that one of the ways we prepare our students for lives of significance and service is by providing opportunities for them to contribute to the welfare of Chicago. We help solve problems in our community, and we also help to cultivate a spirit of service."

The University's included activities related to Dr. Martin Luther King Day, organized by the , plus a spring neighborhood clean-up service event, an annual block party, and a holiday gift program. Also cited was the University's work with the North Park Friendship Center, faculty and staff service on boards of organizations in Chicago's neighborhood, and student and staff involvement in nearby Chicago public schools as tutors, student teachers and volunteers. The University was recognized for the classes offered by the to teach people working in neighborhood nonprofits, and for students in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management who serve as interns in the surrounding neighborhood and throughout the city.

Also cited was the hosted by the University; North Park's Dialogue II Ethical Consumerism Academic Service Learning Class Project; and the University's partnership with nearby . Through the WITS mid-day mentoring program, North Park faculty and staff volunteered to read to elementary school students each week, focusing on third-grade students for whom English is a second language. This program was organized by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Human Resources.

"We are encouraged that these institutions and their students have made service a priority," said U.S. Secretary of Education , a former chief executive of . "Through reaching out to meet the needs of their neighbors, these students are deepening their impact, strengthening our democracy and ultimately preparing themselves to be successful citizens."

The 2013 president's honor roll includes 690 colleges and universities nationwide. manages the program in collaboration with the and the , as well as the and .

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