The Corporation for National and Community Service honored Duke University with the Presidential Award for Service to Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances. Duke was one of only three colleges and universities to earn that distinction. The award was presented at the American Council on Education annual conference as part of the third annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
“Duke's emphasis on youth development in Durham strongly reflects the university's commitment to service and active citizenship,” said Elaine Madison, director of Duke's Community Service Center and senior advisor for DukeEngage. “Volunteering, service learning and community revitalization are a part of a powerful ethic at Duke that unites so many students, faculty and staff toward a common purpose.”
The Honor Roll’s Presidential Award is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award 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.
Duke created an office of Durham and Regional Affairs that assists with programs for Durham at-risk youth from pre-K through high school. Duke students act as mentors and tutors and provide academic counseling, as well as everyday advice and companionship. The participating high schools report that 80 percent of program high school participants graduate and are admitted into a post-secondary institution.
“In this time of economic distress, we need volunteers more than ever. College students represent an enormous pool of idealism and energy to help tackle some of our toughest challenges,” said Nicola Goren, acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the Honor Roll. “We salute these colleges and universities for making community service a campus priority, and thank the millions of college students who are helping to renew America through service to others.”
The Presidential Award winners were presented during a ceremony at the American Council on Education’s annual meeting in Washington.
In addition to Duke, the Presidential Award for Service to Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances went to University of Missouri- Kansas City, and Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, TX. The Presidential Award for General Community Service went to California State University Fresno; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; and Emory University in Atlanta.