More than 20,000 Volunteer Hours Earn President’s Honor Roll Recognition

When Eric Robbert ’13 of LaGrange, Illinois, spent his spring break helping repair a hurricane damaged home in Mississippi…

And when Victoria Penley ’13 of Bradley, Illinois, provided basic medical care to orphans in Ecuador during Interim…

And when Sharon Chun ’11 of Northbrook, Illinois, tutored children at Harvey’s Restoration Ministries, they weren’t being driven by the hope of recognition or presidential awards but by their Christian call to service.

Hundreds of Trinity students like these logged 21,504 hours of service during the 2009-10 academic year. Because of their work, and the ongoing volunteer service students commit each year to local and overseas organizations, Trinity Christian College has again been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll (2010) by the Corporation for National and Community Service.  

“The experience of volunteering at Restoration Ministries helped me to see the positive outcomes that result from consistent figures in the children’s lives,” said Chun. “The children have also taught me a lot by helping me to have more patience and love. Every time their innocence shines past their tough exterior, it reminds me of why I continue to go.”

The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Trinity’s selection to the Honor Roll is recognition from the federal government of the College’s commitment to service and civic engagement locally and globally.

According to Trinity’s Office of Community Partnerships and Service Learning, the service hours were completed through service-learning classes, service spring break trips and Interim courses, service committee and other student-led projects, and the Midwest Campus Compact Citizen-Scholars (M3C) Fellowship program, in which students complete 300 hours of community service and receive an education award.

Students regularly volunteer at many local organizations that partner with the College, including Restoration Ministries, Roseland Christian Ministries, and Elim Christian Services.