Last week, the Corporation for Nation and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education recognized Eastern for its dedication to student service, placing the university on an honor roll.

Rachel Fisher, director of Student Community Service, said Eastern was recognized through the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll because of the university’s commitment to “meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve.”

The CNCS recognized a total of 642 schools, of which 513 were admitted to the program’s honor roll.

Eastern’s honoring came as a result of the university’s increasing focus on developing long-term commitments to service within the community.

This year marks the first time Eastern Illinois has been recognized by the CNCS, which was created in 2006 to honor the work of college students following Hurricane Katrina.

Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, said over the last three years, the university has specifically targeted the improvement of community service efforts.

“Our goal was to have EIU students perform at least 100 thousand hours on an annual basis by June 2013,” Nadler said. “We exceeded this goal in April 2012, with EIU students completing 108,545 hours of service during the 2011-12 academic year.”

He said since the university began tracking community service hours in 2007, Eastern students have contributed more than 400 thousands hours of service—a 180 percent increase in three years.

Fisher also noted that, only just three years ago, the university’s annual community service average was only 42 thousand hours per year.

She said this year, the university was able to capture many stories of service and community dedication, which she thought inspiring to both Eastern students and the overall community.

“What is wonderful about this exciting national listing is that is pays great credit to the multitude of Eastern students that participate in service, inside and outside of the classroom,” Fisher said.

She said Eastern’s students work with over 50 different community partners around Coles County, and that the university’s outreach is “continually spreading.”

Nadler agreed, citing student participation in multiple programs and organizations, including the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, the Coles County Salvation Army and the Big Brother-Big Sisters program.

However, the university’s commitment to volunteerism will not subside due to the award.

Both Nadler and Fisher cited plans for the university to continue its volunteer work and community service.

“We will continue to build and foster relationships with human service agencies in Charleston, Mattoon, the state of Illinois and the region,” Nadler said.

Fisher said she would continue building strong foundations of services, and hopes the university’s volunteer work will “reach to new levels and heights.”

John Downen can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected]