For release: March 5, 2013
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901-678-2843

The University of Memphis has been named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Honor Roll recognizes colleges and universities that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. The U of M has been honored every year since the program’s inception in 2006.

David Cox, executive assistant to U of M President Shirley Raines, said, “Continued recognition by the President’s Community Service Honor Roll, and as one of the few universities in the United States to receive both of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s designations for engagement – Curricular Engagement for teaching and scholarship and Outreach Partnerships for application of university resources for community benefit – places the University of Memphis among the nation’s leading metropolitan universities.”

Colleges can apply in two categories – general community service and special focus areas designated by the Honor Roll committee.  Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the number of academic service-learning courses offered by the school.

During the 2011-2012academic year, U of M students participated in a variety of volunteer service projects, such as a youth fitness and nutrition program at local community centers, cleanups at McKellar Lake and in a number of neighborhoods, sustainability and recycling efforts, a medical needs assessment in conjunction with the Shelby County Health Department, and interpretation of health care information for foreign language-speaking members of the community.

U of M summer education opportunities for area youth include STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs, youth leadership, and involvement with Memphis City Schools initiatives for improving math skills and developing skills for Advanced Placement instruction.

The University of Memphis is the flagship institution of the Tennessee Board of Regents System. Founded in 1912, it is recognized nationally for its academic, research and athletic programs. Today, the U of M educates more than 22,000 students and awards more than 4,000 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees annually. Home to the largest honors program in the state, it also is ranked in the Top Ten for Student Internships by U.S. News & World Report.  More information is available at www.memphis.edu.