Rogers Named 2007 Community Service Director Award Winner

TERRE Haute, Ind. - Nancy Rogers, director of Indiana State University’s Center for Public Service and Community Engagement, was honored with the Indiana Campus Compact’s 2007 Community Service Director Award during the sixth annual Conference of Service and Engagement April 19.

The award, given annually to recognized staff at Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) member campuses, honors those who facilitate service learning to strengthen campus and community ties.

Rogers was nominated by President Lloyd W. Benjamin III, who praised her efforts and her style of compassionate leadership that always puts the community and students first.

“Nancy has worked tirelessly to develop programs, build partnerships, secure resources and create opportunities for our students. Because of her efforts, community engagement and service learning are now a pervasive part of our campus culture,” Benjamin said.

Mary Ann Clark, director of Spectrum Industries, has worked with Rogers and served on several committees with her. She regards Rogers as an ambassador for Indiana State.

“She has a quiet demeanor and has the extraordinary skill of diplomacy. She has a genuine concern for the residents of Vigo County - especially those who are at risk because they are uninformed, poor, uneducated and/or physically challenged. She has that same genuine interest for the students as she continuously strives to provide a positive and worthwhile experience when they participate in community engagement activities.”

Rogers coordinates several on-going programs and activities such as American Humanics, Sycamore Service Corps, Midwest Campus Compact Citizen Scholar Fellowship Program, Focus Indiana and Hull House Service Learning Trip and Alternative Spring Break in addition to several community-wide initiatives, such as coordinating ISU’s efforts for the 51st Habitat for Humanity house and United Way’s Days of Caring.

Rogers’ ability to engage faculty, staff and students has led to the university being recognized for its efforts nationally. Indiana State was named to the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Distinguished Community Service for its outreach efforts in assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina and serving the local community. Indiana State is one of only two institutions in Indiana, and only 62 in the nation, recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its community engagement efforts in two areas of classification.

“For the last five years Dr. Rogers has played a pivotal role in institutionalizing service-learning, community engagement, and experiential learning more generally on the Indiana State University campus,” said Linda Maule, director of ISU’s legal studies program and associate professor of political science and women's studies.

In addition to promoting service learning and community engagement, she is an associate professor in ISU’s department of recreation and sport management. She has been at Indiana State University since 1995 and has been with Center for Public Service and Community Engagement since 2003, serving as its director for the past two years.

Rogers is honored to be recognized by Indiana Campus Compact.

“ICC is one of the strongest state compacts in the nation and they have been a great supporter of our community engagement efforts at ISU,” she said.

“Although the award has been given to me, it really is a reflection of the work of my staff in the Center for Public Service and Community Engagement and my colleagues across our campus. We have many students, faculty, and staff who are doing wonderful things with our community partners. These people make my job easy,” Rogers added.

Indiana Campus Compact is a non-profit membership organization whose members consist of 45 college and university campuses.

Photo caption: Nancy Rogers (right) accepts the Community Service Director Award from Sarah Schmidt, Schmidt Associates, as Jackie McCracken, executive director of Indiana Campus Compact, looks on.

-30-

Contacts: Lindsay Doucette, program director for Indiana Campus Compact, (317) 274-6500

Nancy Rogers, ISU Center for Public Service and Community Engagement, (812) 237-2335 or nancyrogers@indstate.edu

Writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or pmeyer4@isugw.indstate.edu