August 26, 2011

For Immediate Release

First-year Hastings College students contribute to Hastings community through service projects

Note to media: Dr. Jean Heriot, Director of Service Learning, will be available for interviews 9:30-9:45 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 27 at French Memorial (800 N. Turner Ave.)

(Hastings, Neb.) –  Expect the city of Hastings and its residents to look a little brighter next week!  Starting at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2011, more than 300 first-year Hastings College students perform service projects throughout the city.  This continues a 13 year tradition of incorporating service projects into the college’s New Student Days orientation and celebration.

Students will work outdoors at Heartwell Park, Parkview Cemetery and the Hastings YWCA, where they will paint parking lot lines.  Additionally, students will assist residents at Good Samaritan Village, clean at Hastings Middle School and serve meals at Catholic Social Service’s Open Table. 

Because the HC Center for Vocation, Faith, and Service has organized these projects in cooperation with the United Way of South Central Nebraska, the service hours will count toward the United Way Day of Service.

““The service learning project is not only an important part of New Student Days and important for the City of Hastings, it is an integral part of the Hastings College culture,” Dr. Jean Heriot, Director for Service Learning, said.

Hastings College is nationally recognized for its community service efforts. In 2010, for the fourth year in a row, the college was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary community service, innovative service learning programs and demonstrated commitment to strengthening the community.

From the academic year 2003-04 through 2010-11, Hastings College students have served approximately 166,000 hours. In the last year, students served 25,000 hours in the community, with one-third of those hours directly connected to classes taught at Hastings College. Individual students, faculty members and members of the administration have also been recognized for their contributions to service through local, state and regional awards.

For more information on these projects or on service and service learning at Hastings College, contact Dr. Jean Heriot, Director of Service Learning, at 402-461-7770.

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 among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

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