N.C. Central University students are giving real meaning to the university’s motto: “Truth and Service.”

NCCU students contributed volunteer hours worth $2.75 million, according to the 2004 Academic Community Service Learning Program report.

For the 2003-2004 academic year, students working to earn their community service requirements contributed 160,175 hours.

According to Independent Sector, an organization that partners with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, a volunteer’s time is valued at $17.19 per hour.

“It’s nice that NCCU requires students to do community service,” said Shamika Archer, a business administrative freshman.

NCCU’s community service program is one of only 10 university programs in the country that requires a set number of volunteer hours.

The program was established with a mission to serve the state, nation and world through teaching, research and service.

“Students can give back with community service or through service learning, which benefits them,” says Gilberto E. Sherwood, project manager of community service.

Krista Battle, a 2001 graduate with a degree in recreational sports medicine, says she would not have volunteered if it was not mandatory. But Battle says she turned her volunteer work into a permanent job at Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club.

“The boss liked my work performance, so he offered me a job as game room supervisor and tutor in the homework room,” said Battle. Two years later, Battle became the athletic director.

The total number of NCCU’s student volunteer hours is broken down in the report into:

• 64,023 hours of community service working with agencies like the John Avery Boys & Girls Club.

• 66,391 hours of service learning with organizations like Raise Your Voices.

• 29,761 hours of one-time events, such as participation in the First Lady Walk-a-Thon.

Freshmen volunteered 26,269 hours. Sophomores volunteered 20,242 hours. Juniors gave 32,028 hours and seniors volunteered 53,217 hours.

“I think community service is a good opportunity to give back to those that are less fortunate,” says Stephanie Carr, mass communications junior.

“Central’s community service program has done a good job making sure students are doing their community service.”

In July, NCCU’s community service program was selected by Campus Compact as a national model of civic and community engagement for community service done in the 2002-2003 school year.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 900 college and university presidents committed to the civic purposes of higher education.  

“It’s a great accomplishment,” said Rosa Anderson, director of academic community services.

“It was a group effort. It couldn’t have happened without students, faculty, and the community. This acknowledgment confirms our motto and embraces our mission.”

The program has a 15-member advisory committee that includes faculty, students and community members.

The committee helps develop the program’s mission, goals, objectives and program activities.