TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama has been recognized for extraordinary community service by the first-ever President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll announced in Chicago on Oct. 17.

Some 500 colleges and universities applied for the Honor Roll in its inaugural year.

UA was one of 99 institutions recognized with Distinction for General Community Service and one of 74 institutions recognized with Distinction for Hurricane Relief Service.

The University received further distinction as one of only 33 schools on these lists that uses more than 20 percent of its Federal Work Study funds toward community service.

Institutions of higher education recognized by this new program must demonstrate a strong commitment to encouraging civic engagement and service in their students. The program is designed to increase public awareness of the positive difference students are making in the development of their local and national communities.

A special category recognized institutions that undertook significant service activities in response to Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005.

The Honor Roll is co-sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

The recognition is presented in cooperation with Campus Compact, a national coalition of nearly 1,000 college and university presidents -- including UA -- and supported by all the major, national higher education associations.