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O’CONNOR CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL HONOR FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

DELHI, NY … SUNY Delhi has been recognized with the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the volunteer efforts of its O’Connor Center for Community Service during 2007. Delhi was first recognized in 2006 when this national recognition for extraordinary service was first established.

Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. SUNY Delhi was among colleges and universities across the U.S. that were chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovativeness 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

Martha E. Vink, coordinator for the O’Connor Center, is very proud of Delhi students’ commitment to community service. “This is the second year we've received this honor. This award validates the energy and enthusiasm our students have for making a positive impact on their community both near and far, and emphasizes the high value the college places on service.”

Overall, the Community Service Honor Roll awarded six schools with Presidential Awards.  In addition, four schools were recognized as Special Achievement Award winners, 127 as Honor Roll With Distinction members and 391 schools as Honor Roll members.  In total, 528 schools were recognized.  A full list is available at www.nationalservice.gov/honorroll.

The Honor Roll is a federal program co-sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Last year the O'Connor Center for Community Service documented 10,000 hours in community service performed by SUNY Delhi students. Major volunteer efforts included participation in Delaware County's Relay for Life, the college's annual Dance Marathon fundraiser for the Children's Hospital at Syracuse University Hospital, fundraising for flood victims in the Colchester area of Delaware County, continued assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina, work with Habitat for Humanity, Community Service Day when hundreds of service hours are performed by students, faculty and staff at dozens of locations in Delaware County, and in 2006, $12,000 raised for Hurricane Katrina relief, the largest student fundraising effort to be held on the Delhi campus.

The O’Connor Center for Community Service began in 1999 with grant support from the O’Connor Foundation and other local organizations. The Center matches individual students, clubs, classes, and faculty and staff volunteers with non-profit agencies and organizations within the greater Delhi community that need a helping hand. It serves as a clearinghouse for these community organizations, and facilitates volunteerism by arranging for transportation, orientation and training, and feedback on completed community service projects.

To serve as a host organization for students who wish to do volunteer work, please contact Martha E. Vink at the O’Connor Center for Community Service (607) 746-4781.

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