Elon's selection as one of the nation's top three universities for community service was celebrated at a special reception Nov. 29. President Leo M. Lambert called for continued development of Elon's service programs. Details...
Elon was recognized with a Presidential Award in the first President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, announced by the Corporation for National and Community Service on Oct. 17.
More than 500 colleges and universities submitted applications for the honor roll. Elon, along with California State University, Monterey Bay, and Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, received Presidential Awards for community service. They were recognized for a high level of innovation and effectiveness in their service programs.
At the Nov. 29 celebration, Jeff Stein, assistant dean of students, thanked the many community agencies that partner with Elon students, faculty and staff in providing service opportunities.
Smith Jackson, vice president of student life and dean of students, who submitted the university’s application for the award, talked about the many outstanding programs that make up the university’s service activities.
He also singled out senior Katie Franck, who was selected to speak on behalf of the nation’s students at the national awards ceremony in Chicago. He noted that Franck exemplifies Elon’s full service program, because she has lived in a service learning community, been a Periclean Scholar, a Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Guatemala and Hungary, and a LINCS volunteer coordinator for the Burlington Housing Authority.
Franck told those attending the celebration that she is just part of a bigger picture, and she called on Elon to continue to expand its efforts in community service.
>>Listen to Katie Franck’s comments at the Nov. 29 celebration
President Lambert said Franck’s speech in Chicago was one of the proudest moments of his presidency. He said Franck, and sociology professor Tom Arcaro, who was recently named North Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, are among those who are helping Elon develop a national reputation for service and community-based learning.