Michigan State University recently earned the 2014 Michigan Engaged Campus of the Year Award.
The Michigan Engaged Campus of the Year Award recognizes institutions of higher education for exemplary commitment to being an “engaged campus.” Applicants are judged according to criteria expressed in Campus Compact’s Indicators of Engagement.
In 1967, MSU established what is now one of the oldest college service learning and civic engagement centers in the United States. Its decades of commitment to engaged scholarship has resulted in the institutionalization of service-learning and civic engagement at MSU. That commitment and dedication to the public purpose of higher education has spread campus-wide with every degree-granting college embracing civic learning and teaching courses with service-learning and civic engagement.
“Michigan State University is a most deserving recipient of this award, particularly as Michigan Campus Compact celebrates its 25th anniversary,” said Robin Lynn Grinnell, executive director Michigan Campus Compact. “MSU was one of the founding campuses of our association. Their commitment to the highest ideals of higher education inspires campuses throughout our state and across the country. The lasting impact of their work truly ripples across the globe.”
MSU served as a pilot institution for the development of the Carnegie Elective Classification in Community Engagement and was one of the first campuses ever to have received that classification in 2006. The university was recognized with distinction on the 2008 President’s Community Service Honor Roll.
“We at MSU believe that academic learning is richly enhanced when students are encouraged to develop community connections and experiences,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “So more than 40 years ago we established a Spartan tradition that is now known as the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement. The Center has long been valued for the role it plays in undergraduate education and our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners all share in its success. It is their commitment that has led to the national and international recognition of MSU’s global engagement.”
Michigan Campus Compact is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purpose of higher education. MiCC promotes the education and commitment of Michigan college students to be civically engaged citizens, through creating and expanding academic, co-curricular and campus-wide opportunities for community service, service-learning and civic engagement.
MSU was given the award at the annual Giving and Volunteering Day Celebration April 30 at the Michigan State Capitol Building. The program featured Gov. Rick Snyder and State Rep. Sam Singh.
For more information, visit www.micampuscompact.org.