Mary Washington’s culture of service starts at the top. Above, President Richard V. Hurley helps students complete a Habitat for Humanity project. Photo by Norm Shafer.
Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the more than 500 students in UMW’s Community Outreach and Resources (COAR), the University made the (U.S.) President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the third year in a row. The distinction recognizes colleges and universities for engaging students, faculty, and staff in volunteer efforts that have a significant effect on the surrounding community.
COAR members donated nearly 7,000 hours of work and made an economic impact of more than $145,000 for Fredericksburg-area agencies, schools, and hospitals during the 2010-2011 academic year. UMW COAR works outside the community, too. During spring break in March, it sent 51 students to Wilmington and Avery County, N.C., and to Cookeville, Tenn., to work with Habitat for Humanity.
The Community Service Honor Roll award is presented by the Corporation for National and Community Service in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education.