President’s Community Service Honor Roll Recognizes Duquesne in Two Areas

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which has defined new categories and requirements, again has selected Duquesne University as an honoree for the country’s highest federal recognition for universities that strengthen communities.

The University has been recognized in the two areas for which it applied: General Community Service and Education.

Duquesne was the sole Pittsburgh institution and among only 12 schools statewide honored for General Community Service with Distinction, the second-highest recognition presented by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Duquesne has achieved this prestigious ranking for initiatives and outcomes improving the lives of community residents, particularly low-income individuals—a purpose that aligns both with Duquesne’s overall mission of service and its strategic plan.

Students from the University provided an estimated 270,892 hours of service in the 2012-2013 academic year, said Dr. Alia M. Pustorino-Clevenger, associate director for community engagement in the Center for Student Involvement. More than 7,750 students contributed to community service efforts, with another 1,766 students engaged through the service-learning curriculum, she added.

Duquesne concentrated on three areas within the General Community Service category, focusing on the health and welfare of residents through academic programs and services, Spiritan Campus Ministry and Duquesne University Volunteers (DUV), Pustorino-Clevenger said. Among those involved were:

  • Athletic training
  • Nursing
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech-language-hearing
  • Pharmacy, including the Duquesne University Pharmacy in the Hill District
  • Community Clean and Green Initiatives in the Hill District, Uptown and South Side
  • Cross-cultural mission experiences.

Additionally, this year Duquesne was honored in the newly established category of Education, one of four new areas with rigorous requirements focusing on a commitment to improve outcomes for learners from pre-kindergarten through undergraduate levels.

Duquesne was among a dozen other Pennsylvania institutions recognized for exemplary commitment in this area because of the work of programs such as:

  • Best Buddies, a student organization focused on inclusion and partnering with the St. Anthony program, and other agencies
  • Strong Women, Strong Girls, a student group that mentors third- through fifth-grade girls as part of a national nonprofit
  • After-school tutoring conducted by DUV and PACT (Program for Academic Coaching Through Tutoring).

This marks the eighth consecutive year that the federal agency has recognized Duquesne for its commitment and excellence to community service, service-learning and civic engagement.