Chester, Pa.–Widener University has
been named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor
Roll “With Distinction” in the General Community Service and Education
Community Service categories. Widener has been named to the Honor Roll every
year since its inception in 2006.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized year after year for our civic engagement efforts in the communities we serve,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “The real reward, however, is the partnerships with the community that these efforts create, the learning and personal growth opportunities they offer our students, and seeing how these efforts change the lives of the people they serve for the better.”
“It is truly an honor to be recognized year after year for our civic engagement efforts in the communities we serve,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “The real reward, however, is the partnerships with the community that these efforts create, the learning and personal growth opportunities they offer our students, and seeing how these efforts change the lives of the people they serve for the better.”
This year, Widener was recognized
for four exemplary projects:
The Widener Partnership Charter
School: The first university-based
charter school in Pennsylvania, WPCS currently serves about 450 students in
grades K-8. The school takes a holistic approach focused on low
student-to-teacher ratios for personalized instruction; a commitment to making
music, art, drama, foreign language and physical and health education an
integral part of the curriculum; fostering the social and emotional development
of students; and partnership with families so that they are productively
engaged in their child’s educational experience.
The Chester Upland Soccer for
Success Program: The U.S. Soccer Foundation
developed the Soccer for Success Program to use soccer as a vehicle for
positive social change. As the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Soccer
Foundation, Widener’s Athletic Department, School of Nursing, and Center for
Violence Prevention partner with the Philadelphia Union and other local
organization to provide more than 700 youth in seven local schools with
physical activity, nutrition education, mentoring, and family engagement
opportunities.
Widener School of Law Clinics: In 2012-13 Widener Law students enrolled in five clinics
across two campuses, where they earned academic credit while using their
developing legal skills to help domestic violence victims, the poor and
community groups. Clinical programs included the Delaware Civil Clinic, the
Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Clinic and the Veterans Law Clinic, all based on
the Wilmington, Del. Campus; the Harrisburg Civil Clinic, based on the
Harrisburg, Pa. campus; and the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic,
operating on both campuses. The Veterans Law Clinic was among the first of its
kind in the nation. It assists disabled veterans and their dependents with
appeals of benefit denials before the Department of Veteran Affairs, in
addition to providing a host of services that address legal problems which can
be impediments to veterans’ financial security. The clinic currently has about
225 clients and has recovered more than $6 million for its veteran clients,
including $3.8 million in the last four years.
The College Access Center of
Delaware County: In response to the immediate need to
increase the percentage of Chester Upland School District college-bound
students, Widener convened the presidents of five regional colleges and
universities to discuss leveraging their collective resources. The result of
this collaboration led to the College Access Center of Delaware County which
opened in 2009. The mission of the CAC is to provide underserved residents with
programs and activities to enhance their access to and success in postsecondary
education. The first and only college access center in the county, it serves
more than 1,000 residents annually.
A total of 766 higher education
institutions were named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service
Honor Roll. A full list of the honorees can be found at http://1.usa.gov/1vF8tK3.
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