DBU, One of Two Texas Universities Named to President's Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction

For the fourth consecutive year, DBU has been recognized for its community service efforts by being named to the U.S. President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. For the third time, DBU was named to the Honor Roll with Distinction and, along with the University of Texas at Austin, was one of only two universities in the State of Texas to receive this honor in 2009 and the only Baptist institution in Texas. Dallas Baptist University received this honor in recognition of its efforts to instill a spirit of servant leadership in each of its students during the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009 as 5,200 DBU students engaged in over 130,000 hours of service.

"We are thrilled to receive this honor," explained DBU President Dr. Gary Cook. "At Dallas Baptist University, we strive to produce Christ-centered servant leaders who use their God-given talents to serve their communities, no matter what their vocation maybe." "We are grateful and humbled to be one of only two Texas universities recognized with distinction. Our Christ-centered mission calls us to love and serve others, and the administration has committed to carrying out that mission in tangible ways as our students serve their community and world," added Justin Gandy, DBU director of service-learning. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. Among the service-projects highlighted programs highlighted were the following: DBU's First-Year Experience Service: Every incoming freshman student participated in 6 hours of volunteer service per month during the Fall 2008 semester. Students were assigned to one of 25 service organizations throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area based upon their field of study and interest.

DBU Volleyball and Soccer Teams in Peru:  During Spring Break 2009, the DBU Lady Patriot Volleyball and Soccer teams took a special trip to Peru to serve local children as well as compete in games versus national Peru teams. The trip, in partnership with Buckner Orphan Care International, allowed students to continue the DBU ministry into orphanages around the world, which in years past have included Guatemala and Russia.

Fuller Center for Housing Project: More than 20 DBU students partnered with the Fuller Center for Housing in Minden, Louisiana, for Fall Break 2008. Students worked to build a home for a single mother and her family while having a chance to work alongside 50 youth from a local juvenile center. Feast of Sharing: DBU coaches and student-athletes took part in the annual Feast of Sharing event organized by HEB, Inc. Held the week prior to Thanksgiving, the event invites homeless individuals from around the area to join in a special all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving feast as well as providing those attending with medical services, housing information, financial help, and other needed services. DBU participants served as greeters, waiters and waitresses, and guides for the event. Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Challenge: During Spring Break of 2009, eighteen DBU students headed to Columbus, Georgia, to participate in Habitat for Humanity's annual Collegiate Challenge Week, building 9 homes with 13 other colleges in five days. This was the 22nd year in a row that DBU has participated in the Collegiate Challenge. "Congratulations to Dallas Baptist University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities," said Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "Our nation's students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face. They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service." According to Jay Harley, DBU dean of spiritual life, "To be named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fourth consecutive year is a great honor for DBU and shows the commitment to servant leadership by the entire University family." The Honor Roll is a program of the corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is presented during the annual conference of the American Council on Education.