PNC’s community service efforts recognized
Purdue University North Central has again been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, earning placement on the Honor Roll with Distinction as well as the Education Community Service Honor Roll.
The President’s Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions whose community service efforts achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. This is the highest federal recognition that colleges and universities can receive for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.
The annual Honor Roll award recognizes 766 colleges and universities, with 120 cited on the Honor Roll with Distinction. Other schools cited with Distinction include Purdue University, West Lafayette; Valparaiso University and Indiana State University.
College students make a significant contribution to their communities through volunteering and service, and according to the most recent “Volunteering and Civic Life in America” report, in 2012-13, 3.1 million college students dedicated more than 118 million hours of service across the country — a contribution valued at $2.5 billion.
During the 2012-13 academic year, for which PNC was recognized, more than 3,000 PNC students engaged in service learning or civic engagement activities, dedicating more than 32,000 hours of service throughout Northwest Indiana. Students participated in a variety of activities, from those that were embedded within academic service learning courses, to ongoing cocurricular community service and volunteer activities.
The Corporation for National and Community Service has administered the award since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the American Council on Education, Campus Compact, and the Interfaith Youth Core.
“Service learning and community engagement have become a way of life at PNC,” PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin said. “PNC students are proud to be visible community members who are volunteering and taking on volunteer projects that improve our communities. Their service benefits all members of the community and helps them gain an appreciation of giving that will promote a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community service. Being named to the Honor Roll with Distinction as well as the Education Community Service Honor Roll is a direct reflection of our dedication to servicing our local communities.”
Laura Weaver, coordinator of the PNC Center for Service Learning & Leadership, said, “PNC is a leader in providing opportunities for our students to engage in academic service learning and community service through partnerships with numerous organizations throughout Northwest Indiana. These partnerships allow students to take on essential roles to address the needs of our communities while becoming civic-minded citizens.”
Some of the service and volunteer activities completed by PNC students include:
Participation in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration Breakfast held on the PNC campus. Following the breakfast, PNC students and faculty lead educational activities focusing on the life and teachings of Dr. King for preschool and elementary school children at the Michigan City Public Library.
PNC and community volunteers completed service projects at area not-for-profit agencies.
Tax and accounting students offered free assistance to individuals with low to moderate incomes, those with disabilities and the elderly in preparing federal and state income tax returns.
Registered nurses who are students in the PNC nursing bachelor’s degree program presented a free health fair for high school students. Nursing students also completed community health assessments for area communities.
PNC provided training and support to local childcare providers and to children and families through its Early Childhood Summer Institute, the Early Childhood Workshop Series and the 5th Annual Early Learning Conference.
Communication students worked with area not-for-profit agencies to advance community support.
PNC student-athletes volunteered for a variety of projects ranging from teaching free skills camps to helping out at area notfor-profit agencies.