Hastings College service-learning group and professor received commendation at the Midwest Consortium for Service Learning in Higher Education 6th Annual Awards Ceremony held Friday, September 25 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for their service to the Hastings community in the 2008-09 academic year. The Midwest Consortium consists of 29 institutions of higher education in three states.

Dr. Jean Heriot, associate director of vocational discernment and service learning and assistant professor of religion and sociology at Hastings College, received the Administration Commendation in Service-Learning. Dr. Heriot was honored as an exceptional service-learning program administrator and for demonstrated excellence in creating, providing and sustaining opportunities for engaging college students in service-learning.

The Hastings College group Sponsor Our Students received the Student Commendation in Service-Learning. The group was honored for its exceptional leadership, citizenship, and commitment through service-learning; demonstrated innovative and sustained approaches to address an issue in the community; and advanced the service-learning infrastructure of their institution. Students honored include: Chandra Criss, Sargent, Neb., Jackie Engelhardt, Kenesaw, Neb., Brenda Gundvaldson, Gretna, Neb., Rebecca Hartline, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Natalie Husmann, Phillips, Neb., Hannah Kucera, Hastings, Neb., Holly Leth, Grand Island, Neb., Lloyd McIntyre, Hastings, Neb., Wendy Nicklin, Papillion, Neb., and Scottie Shaw, Hastings, Neb.

Sponsor Our Students organized and executed service to middle school and high school youth in the Hastings community at The Zone after school program during the 2008-09 academic year. They raised awareness of the after-school program, especially after The Zone lost a significant portion of its funding and was in danger of closing. The group recruited volunteers, applied for grants and held fundraisers for The Zone.

Dr. Judy Hall, associate professor of teacher education at Hastings College, nominated Sponsor Our Students for the commendation. Group members began this project as part of Dr. Hall’s class, “Communication, Consultation, and Collaborative Partnerships.” Sponsor Our Students also received the 2009 Judy Sandeen Service Award for this project.

For the second year in a row, Hastings College was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the exemplary volunteerism of its students. This year at HC, students volunteered over 22,000 hours through service learning classes, extra-curricular service activities, and campus organizations. In the last six years, HC students have logged over 94,000 volunteer hours.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.