The Corporation for National and Community Service has honored Ursinus College with a place on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, for exemplary service to the communities it serves.
Colleges and universities were recognized during the American Council on Education's Annual Conference in Washington, February 8-9, which was attended by Ursinus President John Strassburger.
       At Ursinus, more than one-half of the student body is involved in community service, and one quarter of the students spend more than 20 hours a week on community service activities.
      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 scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and other factors.
      Some of the community service opportunities at Ursinus include Habitat for Humanity, food drives, blood drives, campus fund-raisers for nearby shelters, support of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program  and  tutoring for America Reads.  Each spring hundreds of students raise $40,000 to $50,000 for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life.
      Ursinus students respond to disaster relief efforts around the world, and in recent years have raised funds for refugees in Afghanistan, Kosovo and other troubled areas. SERV, a team of students who are certified EMTs, provide a first-response team for emergency first aid on campus. A Best Buddies chapter actively works with developmentally delayed adults in the 

 

                                 Program Applications Now Available

 

Applications are now available for the 2009-10 Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Scholarship Program. Pennsylvania high school seniors are being urged to apply by Wednesday, April 1, Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) announced today.

Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average to apply and will be evaluated on leadership qualities, commitment to their community, extra-curricular activities and financial need.  Additionally, applicants are required to write an essay based on the following statement: "On January 1, 2009, Pennsylvania's new open records law took effect, bringing greater transparency to government at all levels in the Commonwealth. Openness in government is key to democracy and it is expected that the effect of the new law will be widely felt. Discuss the impact and substance of this law favoring broader public access to public records."
 
The scholarship can be renewed for each of four years of college and is the value of one semester of tuition at a State System of Higher Education school (approximately $2,500 for the 2009-10 academic year). However, recipients may attend any eligible Pennsylvania public or private post-secondary institution.

Students may also be eligible to receive matching funds from SAGE Scholars Inc. (Savings and Growth for Education) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's (PHEAA) PATH Program. Recipients' names are automatically submitted to PHEAA, and a matching award may be granted based upon financial need.

The House Scholarship Program was established in 2003 by the state House of Representatives and is independently administered by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. It is not affiliated with any political party.
The House program is funded by donations from organizations and individuals, including former and current House members, as well as proceeds from various special events.

For information about the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Scholarship Program, including complete eligibility requirements and application information, visit Vereb's web site www.RepVereb.com or contact Vereb's district office at 610-409-2615.