SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Averett University was only one of several Division III institutions in the country to earn recognition from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA), which recently announced the recipients of this year's NADIIIAA/JOSTENS Community Service Awards. Each selected institution or conference was recognized for its impressive community service projects performed by its student-athletes during the 2014-15 academic year.

Averett was one of three universities to receive "Award of Merit" distinction in the "Array of Projects" category, along with Arcadia University and Roger Williams University. Denison University won the category out of 29 nominees. 

"I'm very proud of what we accomplished through our service projects and really gratified by the national recognition," said Averett Director of Athletics Meg Stevens, who helped accept the award on the university's behalf at the recent NCAA Convention in San Antonio earlier this month. "One of our core values as a department and as a university is community service, and we are doing it and doing it well. Our student-athletes have their hands in many projects and volunteer numerous hours each year in the Danville community."

Averett's submission was its work with "Week to Engage," a week of service organized by the university's Center for Community Engagement & Career Competitiveness. More than 170 student-athlete volunteers helped 22 partners in the Danville community and surrounding area during the weeklong event April 13-17, 2015.

The awards program, established in 2001, is co-sponsored by the NADIIIAA and Jostens and is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in three categories: One-Time Projects, An Array of Projects, and Ongoing Projects.