NEWS

Louisiana Tech University has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for involvement in volunteerism, service-learning and civic engagement.

Six projects were submitted through Louisiana Tech’s Center for Academic and Professional Development (CAPD). The projects were led by faculty from the Colleges of Applied and Natural Sciences, Engineering and Science, and Liberal Arts.

– Maternal Newborn Community Outreach Program – Nancy Darland and Tanya Sims, Nursing
– Habitat for Humanity Home Construction – Kevin Stevens, Architecture
– Earthquake Simulation Chamber – Mel Corley, Mechanical Engineering
– Mentoring Boy Scouts for Aviation Badges – Gary Odom, Aviation
– Sparta Conservation Project – Aaron Lusby and Gary Kennedy, Agricultural Sciences
– Shaken Baby Syndrome Education – Tanya Sims and Donna Hood, Nursing

“This is a great honor, and is clearly due to the efforts of the faculty whose projects were submitted as exemplary service-learning projects at Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Rick Simmons, director of the CAPD.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, recognized more than 700 colleges and universities from around the nation for their impact on various social and civic issues.

Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation 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.

“I am proud of the contributions that our faculty members are making to the communities of north Louisiana,” said Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau. “Their commitment to service-learning and community involvement sets a fine example for our students and provides them with unique learning opportunities.”

According to the CAPD, service-learning is a teaching and learning method that upholds a commitment to appreciating the assets and serving the needs of a community partner while enhancing student learning and academic rigor through the practice of intentional reflective thinking and responsible civic action.

Louisiana Tech is committed to service-learning and encourages faculty to develop courses and curricula with a service-learning component. The CAPD offers support for Tech faculty who wish to engage in a service-learning experience.

Written by Dave Guerin