El Paso student Steven Vizcaino helps lead the way for USW community service

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Steven Vizcaino

HOBBS, NM (09/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Because of its commitment to community service, University of the Southwest is participating in the U.S. President's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge, a year-long national program which focuses on bringing together individuals of different faith backgrounds to engage in community service.

One of the first acts of community service in which the USW campus will spearhead is to serve Hobbs' firefighters by preparing and hosting a meal on Sept. 12. This will be among many of the collective commemorations which will be held across the nation in honor of the volunteers and in memory of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack in New York City. Along with the dinner, the USW Student Government Association (SGA) will be collecting memories of individuals from that day and sharing them in a presentation during their tribute to the firefighters, said Steven Vizcaino, president of USW's SGA.

"The reason why we're having this event is not only to remember the tragic events of 9-11 but to also really honor our local firefighters who dedicate themselves to the people of Lea County," said Vizcaino, a junior bilingual education major from El Paso.

Prior to the start of the Fall Semester, USW President Gary Dill and SGA President Vizcaino traveled to Washington D.C., to discuss the President's Challenge with nearly 200 other colleges and universities. USW was among nine schools of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities who participated in the president-led initiative and of which USW is member.

As part of the conference, Vizcaino and Dill listened to panel discussions and took part in round table discussions with other Christians and members of other faith traditions to discuss how to build better community service partnerships with religious and non-religious service organizations.

"Our common goal is to bring together those of different backgrounds on our campus to serve our communities," said Vizcaino. "As USW participates in community service projects throughout the year, we are working alongside fellow students and staff on college campuses across the nation to promote the betterment of our community and promote interfaith cooperation."

University of the Southwest is an interfaith, Christ-centered university with a mission to develop men and women for a lifetime of servant leadership by emphasizing individual faith, responsibility, and initiative. In addition, a cornerstone scholarship program for the university is its Servant Leader Scholarship. The scholarship awards financial aid undergraduate students for their initiative in developing and implementing community service projects.

The early August kick-off event in Washington, D.C., provided an opportunity for USW to be in touch with other campuses which have committed to the service program through the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The initiative interfaces with University of the Southwest's commitment to servant leadership, encouraging personal responsibility, individual initiative, working cooperatively, valuing multiple cultures, and participating in community service, noted President Dill.