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The 194 graduating Public Service Scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today (May 6) will be recognized for their achievements at a ceremony in Memorial Hall. Each will receive a Carolina blue and white cord to wear at Commencement on Sunday (May 8).

The 194 graduating Public Service Scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today (May 6) will be recognized for their achievements at a ceremony in Memorial Hall. Each will receive a Carolina blue and white cord to wear at Commencement on Sunday (May 8).

The Public Service Scholars program, part of the Carolina Center for Public Service, supports and strengthens Carolina students’ commitment to service, connects them to others who care about similar issues and guides them through training and course work that make their service more effective. Participants must have a minimum grade-point average, complete at least 300 hours of service, take one service-learning course and attend four skills-training workshops.

Most of this year’s graduates exceeded those requirements, on average completing more 450 hours of service. Ten students reported more than 1,000 hours each, and one student recorded more than 2,000. These students join the 822 past scholars who have graduated since the program launched in 2003.

“The Public Service Scholars program has clearly demonstrated the importance of experiential education with regards to finding significance in learning,” said Caitlin Donovan, a scholar from Adak, Alaska, who plans to attend graduate school. “My work with children, the environment and even tigers has reinforced the importance of engaging with the community in a productive way.”

This year’s scholars have worked locally at agencies including UNC Hospitals, Big Brothers Big Sisters, North Carolina Prevention Partners, Piedmont Wildlife Center and Victory Junction Camp, along with more than 100 others. They have also participated in international public service projects through UNICEF, American Red Cross and Global Medical Brigades.

More than 2,200 students participated in the program this year. Since the program began, more than 4,373 students have participated, contributing almost 743,875 hours of service. Current participants represent more than 92 percent of the majors across campus and come from 89 of 100 North Carolina counties, 40 other states and the District of Columbia, and 24 other countries.

The Carolina Center for Public Service engages and supports students, faculty and staff at Carolina in meeting the needs of North Carolina and beyond. The center strengthens the University’s public service commitment by promoting engaged scholarship and service that are responsive to the concerns of the state and contribute to the common good.

For more information about each graduate’s service, major and post-graduation plans, please visit http://www.unc.edu/ccps.

Carolina Center for Public Service website: http://www.unc.edu/ccps
Carolina Center for Public Service contact: Rhonda Beatty, (919) 843-7568, rbeatty@unc.edu
News Services contact: Susan Houston, (919) 962-8415, susan_houston@unc.edu

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