Service Learning Program Gains White House Honor

Service above self.

That statement guides the Center for Service-Learning at Eastern Florida State College in teaching students to become good citizens through civic involvement.

The program is known as among the best in the nation and received another honor Dec. 8 when it was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

It’s the eighth year in a row the program has gained the award, which is given in recognition of what the White House calls a commitment to volunteering and civic engagement.

“To win the award once is impressive but to win it eight straight years is remarkable and something that few other colleges and universities can match,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.
 
“There’s no better example of who we are at Eastern Florida than using community service to teach students to reach beyond themselves and help the people and the community in which they live.”

The college’s Service-Learning program began with a few faculty and students in 1988.

Since then, nearly 72,000 students have served almost 2.3 million community service hours and work with 350 partner organizations today.

This academic year alone, 150 faculty members have used service learning in 135 courses, with more than 5,000 students volunteering 240,000 community service hours.

In addition, 52 students the past year have graduated with the prestigious Citizen Scholar distinction, each giving back 300 hours or more of their personal time in community service.

“We’re truly humbled to have received this distinction again, and it belongs to every student, every faculty member and every person in the community who plays a role in its success,” said program Director Evelyn Young.

For more information on Service-Learning, visit easternflorida.edu or contact Evelyn Young at 321-433-5614 or younge@easternflorida.