The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) named College of the Ozarks to its 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This is the seventh consecutive year for C of O to be included on the Honor Roll.
The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. CNCS, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, named only 642 colleges and universities to the 2012 Honor Roll.
College of the Ozarks and its students take part in numerous community service projects, including Camp Lookout, a free summer camp for deserving area youth, and Bonner Community Service, a campus workstation where students work off their 15-hour work education requirement by going out into the community to serve as teachers’ aides, deliver meals on wheels and volunteer in local food pantries.
“Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community,” said Robert Velasco, acting CEO of CNCS. “We applaud the Honor Roll schools, their faculty and students for their commitment to make service a priority in and out of the classroom. Together, service and learning increase civic engagement while fostering social innovation among students, empowering them to solve challenges within their communities.”
One outstanding example is College of the Ozarks Students in Free Enterprise’s (COSIFE) innovative approach to tackle the tough, community issue of poverty. Last year, COSIFE and First PLACE’s IMPACT (area high school students participating in the First PLACE! character initiative) began selling eco-friendly VAPUR® water bottles to raise money for area homeless individuals interested in breaking the poverty cycle.
Since then, the groups collectively sold hundreds of bottles and the proceeds have been accruing in a fund for individuals who successfully complete the “Getting Ahead” course as money for a deposit or rent on housing. Five individuals from the tri-lakes area have now completed the curriculum and received their certificates for finishing the “Getting Ahead” program, as well as a housing deposit. This class of five that graduated in February is the first of many to come as COSIFE and IMPACT continue to raise money for this cause by selling VAPUR® bottles.
Meanwhile, C of O students are preparing for another successful Camp Lookout season, which begins June 4. Camp Lookout is seeking children ages 8-12 from Stone and Taney Co., whose families cannot fit the cost of summer camp into their budgets. Those interested in finding out more or applying for camp may call the Christian Ministries (417) 690-3446 or go to www.cofo.edu.
The College of the Ozarks Vision is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated, hard-working, and patriotic.
For more information on the President’s Community Service Honor Roll, please visit NationalService.gov/HonorRoll or call Public Relations (417) 690-2212.
