This year, in recognition of the university's 125th anniversary, St. Edward's has launched the 125 Service Challenge. The ultimate goal: to increase the total 63,000 service hours the university generated last year to 75,000 by the end of 2010.

Students volunteer across many areas, some are classroom assignments and others are experiences outside the classroom through special programs and student groups. At St. Edward's, students participate in programs such as Campus Ministry's Alternative Spring Break and International Immersion which provides opportunities to work with and learn from those in need. Other programs that provide volunteer opportunities include Student Service Council projects, numerous service-learning courses and S.E.R.V.E. Austin, a St. Edward's program that facilitates weekly and monthly service projects.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Honor Roll award, recognized more than 700 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses. See the full list of Honor Roll recipients.

College students make a significant contribution to the volunteer sector; in 2009, 3.16 million students performed more than 300 million hours of service, according to the Volunteering in America study released by the Corporation. The Corporation oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.