Carolina Center for Public Service - Public Service and Engagement at Carolina

Buckley Public Service Scholars Class of 2011

Seventh class of UNC Public Service Scholars to receive honors

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill serves North Carolina, the United States and the world through teaching, research and public service. The role of public service at UNC will come into sharp focus as 194 members of the 2011 class of Public Service Scholars are honored May 6 at a ceremony in Memorial Hall, highlighting their years of service while at Carolina. All graduates will receive a Carolina blue and white cord to wear at commencement on May 8 to represent their achievement.

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. Public Service Scholars 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 Public Service Scholars, who have graduated since 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 such agencies as UNICEF, American Red Cross and Global Medical Brigades.
More than 2,200 students participated in the Public Service Scholars program this year. Since the program’s inception in 2003, 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 out 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 Buckley Public Service Scholars, visit http://www.unc.edu/ccps/students-scholars-index.php.