Lynchburg College has been recognized for leadership in student character development in The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development, published by the prestigious John Templeton Foundation. The guidebook is designed for students, parents, and educators who believe that character matters. Colleges were selected for inclusion through a highly competitive process which reviewed more than 2,500 programs and 1,000 institutionsLynchburg College is one of eight Virginia colleges and 100 in the nation singled out for the publication's Honor Roll of Character-Building Colleges for its commitment to inspiring students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives. It is also one of only two Virginia colleges and 60 nationally recognized for volunteer service programs.
In The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development, Lynchburg College is recognized for its SERVE (Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences) program; Semester of Service; Beard Center on Aging; Hunger Awareness Week; Lynchburg College Symposium Readings Program; Honor Code and Student Judicial System; award-winning Student Government Association and Student Activities Board; First-Year/Responsible Living Programs; and Senior Symposium.
"Lynchburg College's strong commitment to character development and the strength of its programs make it a model for colleges and universities nationwide," said Arthur J. Schwartz, Ed.D., director of character development programs at the John Templeton Foundation. "With The Templeton Guide, we hope to help prospective college students and their parents who want to know what colleges are doing to promote the core values of honesty, self-control, respect, and service to those less fortunate. The Templeton Guide recognizes colleges that encourage students to understand the importance of personal and civic responsibility, which will help them succeed in college and beyond. Lynchburg College's work in this area is most impressive."
This marks the second time the Templeton Foundation has recognized Lynchburg College in one of its publications. In 1997-98 the College was among 134 colleges included in the foundation's Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges.