College students make a significant contribution to their communities through volunteering and service, according to the most recent Volunteering and Civic Life in America report. In 2012, 3.1 million college students dedicated more than 118 million hours of service across the country — a contribution valued at $2.5 billion.
To recognize these efforts, the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving our community challenges by recognizing colleges and universities who achieve meaningful, measureable outcomes in the communities they serve and show a clear commitment to community service and service learning. 20 SUNY campuses were recently named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
SUNY Cortland
, SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Oswego were named to the Honor Roll with distinction, while the following campuses were also recognized:
- University at Albany
- Alfred State
- Binghamton University
- SUNY Buffalo State College
- SUNY Cobleskill
- SUNY Delhi
- Downstate Medical University
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Fashion Institute of Technology
- SUNY Geneseo
- Monroe Community College
- SUNY Morrisville
- SUNY Old Westbury
- Onondaga Community College
- SUNY Oneonta
- SUNY Plattsburgh
- Stony Brook University.
“Participating in community service is an important part of any college experience, and a hallmark of our strategic plan,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “Each of our SUNY campuses has an astounding array of options for students as well as faculty and staff to give back to their local communities, and to have a greater impact on community across the country and abroad. Congratulations and thank you to each of the campuses recognized by the President’s Honor Roll this year.”
One of SUNY’s Six Big Ideas, SUNY and the Vibrant Community, aims to create deep applied learning opportunities for each and every student in order to foster meaningful and mutual partnerships with our communities. Participation in community service activities and specifically, being named to the Honor Roll, is one of the metrics used to measure the success toward this goal.
As we do during our 30 Days of Giving campaign, we commend these and all SUNY schools who succeed with their community partnerships and applied learning opportunities in efforts to revitalize New York’s economy and enhance the quality of life for all its citizens.
