The College of the Holy Cross has been conferred with the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its commitment to serving the community.

Last year, more than 2,277 students out of a total population of 2,900 spent 100,214 hours working at community events such as fundraising or helping in maintaining streets, schools, and parks.

"As a Jesuit Institution, service is essential to our identity and how we educate our students both in and out of the classroom," said Edward Augustus, director of government and community relations.

Augustus also said that through community services and volunteerism, students can enhance their personal and intellectual growth. At the same time, it builds strong partnerships between the community and college.

There are varied student organisations in the college that extend support toward the community.

There is a 30-year-old Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) comprising of more than 700 active student members and 46 program sites and the Donelan Office of Community-Based Learning, wherein students offer learning services to the community through nonprofit, community and public organizations.

In addition, students also engage in community activities by volunteering through the athletics department and local internships with Worcester businesses and agencies.

Corporation for National and Community Service has been offering the Honor Roll since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education.

Other recipients of this prestigious award include Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Clark University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Worcester State University.

The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll is the highest level of recognition for universities and colleges across the nation that commit and support community services and civic engagement programs.