Florida Technical College Earns Place on President Obama National Honor Roll for Community Service

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, all five Florida Technical College campuses were named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2014. The distinction is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteer work and civic engagement.

"Florida Technical College has a long history of service and believes strongly in preparing our graduates to become leaders," said College President David Ruggieri. "By encouraging our students, faculty and staff to help others, we strengthen the community we call home."

All five campuses were named to the Honor Roll in the General Community Service category, while three of them –Orlando, Kissimmee and Deland- were additionally listed in the Interfaith Community Service category. The College is one of 90 institutions that received this designation among the more than 4,000 higher-learning institutions considered.

At FTC, students, faculty and staff work together to impact their community in many positive ways. One such initiative, recognized in the Interfaith Community Service category, is Hope in the Street, a homeless outreach program in partnership with a local Christian group. Throughout the school year, the college helps collect and sort clothing, toiletries and food donations that are distributed monthly by staff, faculty and students. They visit the homeless under bridges, in alleys, and in the streets of Orlando. Hot meals cooked by the college's Culinary Arts program chefs are served, while barbering students and teachers offer free haircuts.

Students and staff also volunteer thousands of hours each year with various nonprofit organizations serving the elderly, the disabled, children and veterans. FTC is also a key supporter of Heart of Florida United Way, Central Florida's largest provider of funds to the region's most critical health and human service programs.

About Florida Technical College: FTC offers associate and bachelor's degrees and diploma programs in a range of professions, including healthcare, computer networking, graphic design, criminal justice, culinary arts and cosmetology.  FTC's campuses are located in Orlando, Lakeland, DeLand, Kissimmee and Pembroke Pines. Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, FTC is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. 

Contact: Maria Sanquirico
Mobile: 813-420-2922

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SOURCE Florida Technical College