Alma, Delta colleges named to National Honor Service Roll

Two mid-Michigan colleges have been honored by a national community service organization for their support of service and volunteering.

Delta College and Alma College were named to the National Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service, for supporting students, faculty and their communities in volunteering, service learning and civic engagement.

The honor roll has been created each year since 2006, and this year includes 642 colleges and universities that have made an impact locally, regionally, and globally on community issues like literacy, neighborhood revitalization and at-risk youth.

At Delta College, some of the initiatives that contributed to the honor roll listing include the Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic Dental Site, providing free dental care to low-income and uninsured patients; partnerships with area Habitat for Humanity organizations; and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, in which students help low-income residents prepare taxes.

"Delta's faculty members have developed these community service projects to allow students an opportunity to enrich our community, and develop their skills in a hands-on environment. Everyone involved benefits," says Jean Goodnow, Delta College President.

Alma College also made the list, for the fourth year in a row. The college had 86 percent of the graduating senior class for 2010 participate in service learning classes, and that doesn't count all the students participating in volunteering and service outside of a class structure.

Some of the volunteer efforts at Alma College included working with the American Red Cross, Masonic Pathways, the Pine River Community Action Group, Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentoring children in local schools, serving in overseas and global volunteer programs, and alternative spring and winter breaks.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Jean Goodnow, Delta College