News Article

Gonzaga received another major honor last week for the volunteer service work students, faculty and staff do for others. The Corporation for National and Community Service honored Gonzaga with a spot on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service to America’s communities. This honor follows two other national service-related honors the University recently received

Each year, scores of Gonzaga students spend their Spring Break serving others at locations nationwide in an initiative called Mission:Possible. This group painted a house in Knoxville, Tenn.

In October, Gonzaga was ranked No. 1 in the nation for having the most volunteers serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps than any other school. In January, Gonzaga was ranked No. 6 in the nation among small colleges and universities with alumni serving in the Peace Corps.

Student Life Vice President Weitz is delighted with the distinction, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.

“This recognition casts a light on the commitment and dedication that so many of our students practice on a daily basis. As a Jesuit institution it’s not just about service, it’s about a faith that does justice brought to life through the actions of our students, faculty and staff,” Weitz said.

Sima Thorpe, who runs Gonzaga’s Center for Community Action and Service Learning, said the award underscores the commitment of the entire Gonzaga community to serving others, a hallmark of a Gonzaga education.

“This is an honor for our students, faculty and staff who are dedicated to creating a culture of service on our campus,” says Thorpe “Our students make a difference in our community every day through their involvement with our service learning and civic engagement programs.”

Last year alone the Gonzaga community contributed more than 100,000 hours of service. 

“That commitment is reflected in this award,” Thorpe said. Recent studies underscore the important role service-learning and volunteer opportunities provide in terms of enhancing students’ college experience.

A total of 29 Gonzaga University alumni have committed to serve in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, the most volunteers produced by any other college or university in the nation, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps reports.