Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: nationalservice.gov "Earning this distinction is not easy," said American Council on Education President David Ward. "But now each of these schools will be able to wear this award like a badge on honor."

The Corporation for National and Community Service has listed Pace University on the 2007 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for extraordinary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youths.

Pace was one of 528 schools throughout the country that were given this distinction, which was called the highest federal recognition for service-learning and civic engagement commitment, by a Pace press release by Samuella Becker, dated Feb. 15. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that works to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

The names of the schools listed on the Honor Roll were announced on Feb. 11, at the American Council on Education's Annual meeting in San Diego.

"College students are tackling the toughest problems in America, demonstrating their compassion, commitment, and creativity in by serving as mentors tutors, health workers, and even engineers," said Liz Seale, the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

As the U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, congratulated the winners, she emphasized the importance of community service in the country and its roll in training students for the workforce.

"Americans rely on our higher education system to prepare students for citizenship and the workforce," she said. "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."

Colleges were picked based on factors such as 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, according to the press release.

"Pace University students care and get involved," said President Friedman in the release. "Our students really are engaged and want to make a difference."

According to Friedman, Pace offers over 70 courses that combine academics with community service. Over 1,900 Pace students enrolled in civic engagement and public values courses in the 2006-2007 academic year, he said.

Some activities that helped Pace earn its place on the honor roll include: 100 Opportunities of Service and Citizenship, 2007 Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans, Lego League, and Paint a School Day.

This year, Pace students continue to be engaged with the community with programs such as Pace Votes '08, Political Action for Human Rights Services, Be the Change, Debating for Democracy, and Relay for Life.

Out of the 528 schools that were listed on the honor roll, six were given special awards. Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio; the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Pennsylvania received the Presidential Award for General Community Service. Chaminade University of Honolulu, Syracuse University and the University of Redlands in Redlands, California were given the Service to Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances award.

"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 the American Council of 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."

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