NEWS

Tech receives national recognition for community service, volunteerism

Mar 21, 2012 | General News

Louisiana Tech University has once again been named to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for its leadership among institutions of higher education in Louisiana in supporting volunteerism, service-learning, and community involvement.
The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities.  It is recognition from the highest levels of the federal government for commitment to service and civic engagement on a university’s campus and throughout the nation.
Louisiana Tech is the only public university in north Louisiana and only institution in the University of Louisiana System to make the Honor Roll every year since 2008.
“The commitment of our faculty to service learning and community enrichment is a vital part of Louisiana Tech’s mission,” said Louisiana Tech University President Dan Reneau.  “To see their efforts recognized on a national level serves as a source of pride and inspiration for the entire university community.  I congratulate and commend these faculty members for making a positive impact and creating a better region for all of us.”
Six projects from a diverse group of faculty and disciplines comprised Louisiana Tech’s 2012 entrants.  They included “SOCA Community Garden” (reported by Kevin Singh – architecture), “KABMAN” (reported by Mark Guinn – performing arts), “Student Nursing Association Projects” (reported by Nancy Darland – nursing), “Engineering Service Initiative” (reported by David Hall – mechanical engineering), “Glenview Elementary Playground Project” (reported by David Hall – mechanical engineering), and “Lincoln Center Physical Education Project” (reported by Tammy Schilling – kinesiology.)
Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service.
“I am very pleased that Louisiana Tech faculty and students continue to enhance learning opportunities through real world service learning and community service projects,” said Dr. Ken Rea, vice president for academic affairs at Louisiana Tech.  “The value added to students’ learning experiences and to the community partners and recipients of the service is significant.
“I am proud of our faculty and students for their outstanding record of service and the Honor Roll recognition and for the many benefits shared with Louisiana Tech and our community.”
Dr. Rick Simmons, the George K. Anding Endowed Professor of English and director of the Center for Academic and Professional Development at Louisiana Tech, says being named to the Honor Roll for five straight years is a significant accomplishment since the evaluation criteria gets more rigorous each year and he appreciates all those faculty that reported and participated in the projects.
“I’d really like to thank the faculty members for stopping what they were doing and submitting the details of their projects, as well as answering my endless follow-up questions,” said Simmons. “Without them and their reports, it is clear we would not be on the Honor Roll.”
CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education.  They serve as a catalyst for service-learning programs nationwide that connect community service with academic curricula.