News Release

August 9, 2007

Boise State's Service-Learning Program Wins Life Enrichment Award for 2007

The Idaho Health Care Association recently presented Boise State University’s Service-Learning Program with its annual Life Enrichment Award. The award is given each year to the individual or the organizations with outstanding contributions to long-term care.

“Residents from Boise Samaritan Village Health Care and Rehabilitation Center have been rewarded with Service-Learning program students from BSU,” wrote Sherri Ellis, activity and volunteer director of Samaritan Village, in the nomination form. Ellis noted that the residents’ quality of life improved while the students gleaned real-life experience that helped mold their own careers.

“The program works in conjunction with university classes,” said Kara Brascia, Director of Boise State’s Service-Learning Program. “Many professors make community involvement a course requirement, giving students volunteering experiences in their fields of study. Although the semester requirement is only 15 hours of service, over 40 percent of students report they will continue volunteering.”

“The award was a boost to the program and students,” said Brascia. “It’s encouraging to be recognized and it helps to keep momentum in our community efforts.”

Last year, the Service-Learning Program coordinated 169 service-learning students with the community to enhance learning and foster civic responsibility. These students served more than 3,375 hours with five long-term care agencies through 17 different service projects. Students served as companions to the elderly and helped long-term care facilities market and evaluate their programs. The Service-Learning Program at BSU facilitated these class and community events from across four colleges.

In addition to working with long-term care, the Service-Learning Program works with more than 70 community organizations dealing with issues such as poverty, the environment, public health and human rights. Last year, over 1,700 service-learning students contributed 36,453 hours of service to the Treasure Valley.

The Service-Learning Program at BSU facilitates class and community partnerships with 89 classes across 8 colleges.

For more information, visit http://servicelearning.boisestate.edu.

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Contact: Kara Brascia, Director of Service-Learning Program, (208) 426-2380, karabrascia@boisestate.edu
Media Contacts: Melissa Jensen, University Communications, (208) 426-1577, melissajensen@boisestate.edu

Boise State University celebrates its 75th anniversary this fall. From its founding on Sept. 6, 1932, the institution has evolved from a small church-sponsored college in a downtown schoolhouse to a metropolitan research university of distinction with about 19,000 students. Visit boisestate.edu and click on the “75” button for more information.

 

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Last reviewed on Monday, August 27, 2007