The University of Louisville received high marks for its community service outreach programs, the only Kentucky school to earn the “with distinction” designation (only 115 out of 742 schools received this status) along with its membership on the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

The Corporation for National and Community Service last week named UofL to its honor roll. The school was selected based on the scope and impact of its service projects and student participation. “Our campus community represents an enormous pool of talent and energy and we are harnessing that power to tackle some of society’s toughest challenges,” said UofL provost Shirley Willihnganz. “We are honored to receive this prestigious recognition for the great work done by our employees and students.”

The four projects for which UofL was nominated:

• Audiology in Rural Kentucky – students and faculty provided screenings and hearing services to people in some of Kentucky’s poorest counties.
• Empower – Department of Fine Arts students introduced art and photography to children at St. Joseph Children’s Home giving them a venue for creative and social expression.
• The College Prep (TCP) Scholars Program - UofL students served as mentors to middle school students encouraging them to set goals and attend college.
• Developing Parental Support for Children’s Early Language Development - College of Education students provided language screenings to children from birth to age five to help families identify and intervene early to improve language skills.

The Office of Community Engagement at UofL estimated that 7,917 students volunteered 145,055 community service hours in 2009.

A reason – in a sea of bad – to be proud of the University of Louisville.