FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Susie P. Gonzalez

Susie.Gonzalez@Trinity.edu

Feb. 11, 2009

Federal Agency Names Trinity University to Presidential Community Service Honor Roll

SAN ANTONIO – Trinity University students have completed more than 16,000 hours of community service, earning the University a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and affirming Trinity’s long-standing commitment to social responsibility.

In the 12-month period ending in June 2008, a total of 1,646 Trinity students helped at area homeless shelters, construction sites operated by Habitat for Humanity, and the San Antonio Food Bank, among other agencies, racking up 16,241 hours of community service or academic service learning activities. At least 150 students each performed a minimum of 20 hours of service, according to Edwin Blanton, coordinator for Community Service & Engagement in Trinity’s Office of Campus & Community Involvement. He reported the service totals to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that monitors service by college students.

“Trinity students have been engaged in community service for many years so this award is a wonderful public affirmation of their commitment to social responsibility in San Antonio and beyond. In particular, the Office of Campus & Community Involvement is to be congratulated for its unwavering support for our students’ development as civic minded leaders,” said Felicia J. Lee, vice president for Student Affairs.

Among the listed projects was a single day dedicated to Get Into the Volunteer Experience (GIVE), which brought together 140 students who volunteered at the San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department, a homeless shelter, a battered women’s shelter, Habitat for Humanity, a children’s shelter, an autism treatment center, the Boys and Girls Club, and two Ronald McDonald Houses.

Trinity volunteers also held a multi-day pre-orientation for first-year students last summer before the beginning of the academic year in a program known as the San Antonio Plunge. Through it, students reported to the food bank and built wheelchair ramps, among other social service work, with time set aside to reflect upon the meaning of their contributions.

Students also took part in the National Day of Hope by making and selling bracelets to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect, including prevention. Proceeds paid for a carnival at the local Boys and Girls Club.

Other activities include a graffiti clean-up day and an ongoing program among Trinity sororities to promote healthy body image for women.

“We salute Trinity University for making community service a campus priority,” said Stephen Goldsmith, vice chair of the board of directors for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the honor roll. “College students represent an enormous pool of idealism and energy to help tackle some of our toughest challenges.”

Launched in 2006, the honor roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees were chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, and incentives for service.

Honor roll recipients were announced during the annual conference of the American Council on Education, which took place Feb. 8-9 in Washington D.C.

Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation’s top private undergraduate institutions. Noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and exceptional academic and residential resources, Trinity is committed to the intellectual, civic, and professional preparation of its students.

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