Office of Media Relations
Phone: (318) 274-2418
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For Immediate Release: January 25, 2008
GSU receives Service-Learning Grant
Pictured from left to right, University of Louisiana
System President Sally Clausen, GSU employees Rory Bedford and Grace Tatem
and Olinda Ricard University of Louisiana Board Member.
GRAMBLING — The University of Louisiana
System has awarded 22 grants to advance student service-learning in the
area of hurricane recovery including training in disaster and emergency
response, numerous building efforts including homes and the restoration
of a historic African-American church and assistance to the New Orleans
Recovery School District. The grants totaled $453, 186 with a required one-to-one
campus match. Grambling State University received $45,000.
"As Louisiana continues to recover from the devastating hurricanes
in 2005, it is gratifying to know we have top faculty, staff and students
at our universities who will be investing their time, resources and brainpower
to make a difference, " said System Board Chairwoman Elsie Palmer Burkhalter.
Burkhlater was a victim of Hurricane Katrina-as she lost her Slidell home.
Service-learning provides numerous benefits to the student. According to
UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute, student participation in service
has positive impacts on leadership, ability, grades, retention, degree aspirations,
critical thinking skills and commitment to helping others in difficulty.
"We are pleased to have received the funding we received as we work
to enhance this great state through our outstanding students and employees,
" GSU President Horace A. Judson said.
The grants are made possible through a three-year, $1.2 million grant to
the University of Louisiana System from the Learn and Serve America division
of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
"Higher education today must not only provide students with a competitive
academic experience, we also must ensure that students led by their faculty
will link classroom experiences with meaningful opportunities to serve.
The result is an improved society and a better educated student, "
said System President Dr. Sally Clausen.
GSU Projects include...
A Collaborative Commitment: GSU, Southern University-Shreveport
and Habitat for Humanity Rebuilding Louisiana through Service-Learning.
Partnering students from both schools with Habitat for Humanity and the
American Red Cross to build housing for victims for Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita and to receive disaster training.
Enhancing the Quality of Life for Senior Citizens in a Rural Community
after the Trauma of the hurricanes
Partnering GSU Social Work students with the City of Grambling and the AARP
to provide continuing education and support seminars for senior citizens.
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