By Ruth Liao

Willamette University has gained national recognition for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.

The university received the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Presidential Award, said Willamette spokesman Adam Torgerson.

It is the highest federal recognition a school or university can achieve for service-oriented learning and civic engagement. Willamette was among six colleges and universities selected.

Willamette officials will accept the award next month at an annual American Council on Education conference in Phoenix, Ariz., Torgerson said.

Willamette was one of three schools particularly acknowledged for its efforts in helping youths from disadvantaged circumstances.

Students, faculty and staff contributed more than 66,000 volunteer hours during the 2008- 2009 school year, Torgerson said.

Willamette was honored for many of its programs, which include:

Willamette Academy, a program for Salem-Keizer students from grades 7 through 12 from low-income families which encourages students to succeed in school and enroll in a four-year university.

Partnerships with Chemawa Indian School, where about 25 Willamette students serve as tutors for Chemawa Indian students. Willamette students also have helped Chemawa Indian School with a wetlands restoration project that will include culturally significant plans for uses such as medicine and weaving.

New Student Orientation to Community Outreach, which promotes volunteerism in a five-day program to incoming students.

Mentoring and education programs at nearby Bush Elementary School, where a majority of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals because of low household incomes.