O'Connor Center for Community Service Recognized with National Honor for Fourth Year in a Row

• by SUNY Delhi

DELHI, NY (03/03/2010)(readMedia)-- SUNY Delhi has been recognized with the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the volunteer efforts of its O'Connor Center for Community Service for the fourth consecutive year. SUNY Delhi has received this special recognition every year since the inception of the award.

The Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. SUNY Delhi was among colleges and universities across the U.S. that 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.

The O'Connor Center for Community Service documented nearly 16,000 hours in community service performed by 892 students in 2009. SUNY Delhi was also recognized for its special efforts fostering service learning opportunities for its students during 2009 and its Service-Learning Fellows for faculty. Dr. Amber Tatnall, assistant professor of psychology, had students perform 20 hours of service hours with partner agencies Delaware County ARC and Countryside Care Center as part of their course work. Dr. Deborah S. Adelman, associate professor in Delhi's online BSN program, had students partner with agencies across New York State as part of the program's healthcare policy course.

Other major volunteer efforts included: the college's annual participation with the Delaware County Relay for Life; a new mentoring program called "Bronco Buddies," which is held in collaboration with the Big Buddy Program and South Kortright Schools; fundraising for the Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse; fundraising with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild the Eaglefeather home; building homes in Alabama and Texas with Habitat for Humanity; and hosting Delhi's annual Community Service Day when hundreds of service hours are performed by over 200 students, faculty and staff at dozens of locations throughout Delaware and Otsego counties.

The O'Connor Center for Community Service has operated on the Delhi campus for 10 years thanks to lead support from the O'Connor Foundation of Hobart. The Center matches individual students, clubs, classes, and faculty and staff volunteers with non-profit agencies and organizations within the greater Delhi community that need a helping hand. It serves as a clearinghouse for these community organizations, and facilitates volunteerism by arranging for transportation, orientation and training, and feedback on completed community service projects.

To serve as a host organization for students who wish to do volunteer work, please contact the O'Connor Center for Community Service (607) 746-4781.