Today North Carolina Campus Compact announced that Bucknell University is the winner of the first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Technology Challenge Contest. Bucknell, located in Lewiston, PA, beat out five national finalists by receiving 57% or 6,818 of the 11,922 votes cast from 49 states. The winning video, produced by the Bucknell University Pod Squad, documented the university’s MLK Service Week, which involved 50 community partners and nearly 600 Bucknell volunteers and community members. The university’s community service office will receive $400 to support future MLK service initiatives.
NC Campus Compact developed the technology contest to recognize the campus with the most creative and inspiring use of technology to highlight their MLK Day of Service efforts. Six entries were chosen as finalists for public voting based on four criteria: overall impact, originality, memorable content and the overall message of acknowledging and honoring the principles of Dr. King.
The national technology contest was part of NC Campus Compact’s efforts to highlight and increase college student volunteerism on MLK Day, the only federal holiday designated as a day of service.
As one of 7 lead agencies to receive funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service to promote volunteerism on the 2009 King Day of Service, NC Campus Compact provided grants directly to campuses or through state Campus Compact offices, mobilizing 16,000 college students on 130 campuses in 28 states. Bucknell University was awarded a mini-grant through Pennsylvania Campus Compact. Only participating campuses were eligible for the contest.
To see Bucknell’s winning video entry, as well as the other five finalist entries, visit http://org.elon.edu/nccc/MLKVoting.html. For more information about the campus-based service efforts, visit www.nccampuscompact.org. To learn about the national MLK Day of Service visit www.MLKDay.gov. Mark your calendars for MLK Day of Service 2010, January 18, 2010.
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North Carolina Campus Compact is a coalition of 41 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. NC Campus Compact is a member of national campus compact which has over 1,100 presidential members and 35 state offices.
The Corporation for National and Community Service is the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and special initiatives such as the MLK Day of Service, they provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country by addressing critical community needs. Visit www.nationalservice.gov to learn more.
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CONTACT: Leslie Garvin
Phone: 336-278-7278
Email: lgarvin {at} elon(.)edu
