February 11, 2009
DELHI, NY . SUNY Delhi has been recognized with the President's Higher Education
Community Service Honor Roll for the volunteer efforts of its O'Connor Center for
Community Service during 2008. Delhi was first recognized with this national recognition
for extraordinary service in 2005 and then received recognition in 2006.
The Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can
achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. SUNY Delhi
was among colleges and universities across the U.S. that were chosen based on a
series of selection factors including scope and innovativeness of service projects,
percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service,
and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.
SUNY Delhi was recognized for its special efforts fostering service learning opportunities
for its students during 2008 and implementing a program to initiate faculty as service
learning fellows. Associate Professor Tom Recinella taught Delhi culinary arts students
how to set up a disaster relief kitchen as part of Delaware County's Relay for Life
event. Professor Mary Jane Giarrusso-Wilkin led a group of Delhi nursing students
to the Dominican Republic to work with disadvantaged patients needing eye surgery.
Other major volunteer efforts included the college's annual Dance Marathon fundraiser
for the Children's Hospital at Syracuse University Hospital, fundraising for flood
victims in the Colchester area of Delaware County, work with Habitat for Humanity
on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in Eagle Butte, S.D., Community Service
Day when hundreds of service hours are performed by students, faculty and staff
at dozens of locations in Delaware County. Overall, the O'Connor Center documented
10,000 hours in community service performed by SUNY Delhi students in 2008.
The O'Connor Center for Community Service began in 1999 with grant support from
the O'Connor Foundation and other local organizations. The Center matches individual
students, clubs, classes, and faculty and staff volunteers with non-profit agencies
and organizations within the greater Delhi community that need a helping hand. It
serves as a clearinghouse for these community organizations, and facilitates volunteerism
by arranging for transportation, orientation and training, and feedback on completed
community service projects.
To serve as a host organization for students who wish to do volunteer work, please
contact the O'Connor Center for Community Service (607) 746-4781.