For the second consecutive year, Brown Mackie College – South Bend earns National Recognition for Community Service
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) honored Brown Mackie College – South Bend as a leader among institutions of higher education for their support of volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement. Brown Mackie College – South Bend was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community. The College was also admitted in 2009.
The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth. Of that total, 511 were named to the Honor Roll, 114 received the recognition of Honor Roll with distinction, 11 were identified as finalists, and six received the Presidential Award.
"As members of the class of 2011 cross the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their communities and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions," said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS. “Congratulations to Brown Mackie College – South Bend and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.
“We believe in the impact that the students and staff of Brown Mackie College – South Bend have on giving back to our community,” says Steve Richards, Dean of Academic Affairs at Brown Mackie College – South Bend. “We are honored to share this acknowledgement with our students and our community. Brown Mackie College – South Bend's students, faculty, and staff look forward to another year of community service and partnerships.”
One of many community service activities that Brown Mackie College – South Bend launched included The Jan Griffiths' Memorial Coat Drive. Ms. Griffin was a student in the school’s Medical Assisting program and was close to completing her degree. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from school in 2003 for personal reasons. Ms. Griffith lost her life in August 2006, when her domestic violence abuser ran her down with his car. At the time, she was living at The Center for the Homeless in South Bend. To honor Ms. Griffith, Brown Mackie College – South Bend organized a coat drive in her memory. Coats were graciously cleaned by Rubin Cleaners and delivered to The Center for the Homeless and to Saint Margaret's House; both organizations that helped her during her time of need.
A total of 851 institutions applied for the 2010 Honor Roll, a nine percent increase over last year, a sign of the growing interest by colleges and universities in highlighting their efforts to engage students in making a difference in the community.
On campuses across the country, millions of college students are engaged in innovative projects to meet local needs, often using the skills learned in classrooms. In 2009, 3.2 million college students across the country dedicated more than 307 million hours of service to communities; service valued at more than $6.4 billion. Business and law students offered tax preparation and legal services, and college student volunteers provided meals, created parks, rebuilt homes after disasters, conducted job training, ran senior service programs, and much more.