Fort Lewis College named to President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

 

DURANGO, CO – The Corporation for National & Community Service named Fort Lewis College to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in July. Fort Lewis is one of eight Colorado institutions to make the list.

The Honor Roll is “an annual recognition program that celebrates exemplary commitment to service and volunteering from institutions of higher education,” wrote Corporation for National and Community Service Acting Chief Executive Officer Robert Velasco, II in a letter to FLC President Dene Thomas.

“The Corporation is proud to honor your admirable contributions to service and we are inspired by the dedication you have demonstrated to serving your local communities,” Mr. Velasco’s letter continues. “Your institution plays a critical role in expanding the opportunity for citizens to serve; increasing the capacity of individuals, organizations and communities to become more effective; and demonstrating that service is a crucial tool for addressing the challenges that the nation faces.”

The heart of the community service effort at Fort Lewis College is the Center for Civic Engagement. Established in 1993, the Center exists to assist faculty and students integrate academics with service and activism causes. This marriage of textbooks and good works is known as the FLC Community-Based Learning and Research program (CBLR).

Through CBLR and other service projects, FLC students, faculty and staff contribute approximately 50,000 hours per semester to causes and organizations in the community. Indeed there are many community organizations that might not exist without the College’s partnership, including the Durango Farmer’s Market; SW Conservation Corps; Del Alma (an educational organization for multicultural youth); San Juan Citizens Alliance (group working with regional economic, social and environmental justice issues); Manna Soup Kitchen’s Garden Project; and Companeros (organization dedicated to end racial profiling and support acceptance of diverse cultures).