Oberlin College Receives President's Honor Roll Award for Distinguished Community Service

OBERLIN, OHIO – (February 15, 2008) – For exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth, Oberlin College has received the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement: installation on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction.

"Oberlin students, alumni, faculty, and staff are known for creative and innovative responses to the pressing needs of society," says Beth Blissman, Director of the Bonner Center for Service and Learning. "We are thrilled to be among the select group of schools recognized for excellence in community service."

"College students like those at Oberlin College 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, chief operating officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which bestowed the award. "They represent a renewed spirit of civic engagement fostered by outstanding leadership on caring campuses."  

Recent student-led initiatives took place during Oberlin's Winter Term 2008, when 65 students completed an estimated 11,200 hours of community service in Northeast Ohio, Indonesia, El Salvador, Kenya, Guatemala, South Africa, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Chile, Belgium, and Panama. Their contribution of time and work was the equivalent of at least $75,000 worth of effort.

"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 American Council on 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."