Defiance College Receives
National Recognition for Community Service;
Named to 2010 President’s Honor Roll

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College has been admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community. This is the fifth consecutive year DC has been honored.

"As the class of 2011 crosses the stage to pick up their diplomas, more and more will be going into the world with a commitment to public service and the knowledge that they can make a difference in their community and their own lives through service to others, thanks to the leadership of these institutions," said Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS.  “Congratulations to Defiance College and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities.  We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service.”

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.

“We’re thrilled that Defiance College has once again been recognized on a national level for our commitment to service.  DC truly is breaking new ground with our student-run non-profit (Project 701) and our college-wide commitment to giving our students real-world experiences that enable them to stand out both as individuals and in the marketplace,” said Mark C. Gordon, President of Defiance College. “This is also further recognition of the amazing opportunities for students through our pioneering McMaster School for Advancing Humanity as well as numerous other programs at the College that encourage students to work more closely with a broader community.”

Among the contributions that Defiance College makes to communities are service initiatives in Belize, Cambodia, Jamaica and New Orleans, as well as local projects such as the Family Justice Center partnership, youth athletic outreach, Empty Bowls dinner benefiting the PATH Center, Night Without a Home program to bring awareness to rural homelessness, community-based internships, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, reading mentorships at Defiance Elementary School, Dance Marathon to support Children’s Miracle Network, Make-a-Wish holiday party, service at the Defiance County Humane Society animal shelter, collection of hazardous waste materials for recycling, Jobs Partnership Program and Project 701, among many others.

The Corporation oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

May 17, 2011