Only four years after it began, the 1,000th public service scholar has enrolled in the program.
Public Service Scholars recognizes those students who balance academics with dedicated community service, while providing education to enhance their service learning experiences.
It's excellent that so many UNC students have taken advantage of the opportunities available through the Public Service Scholars program, and it's even more encouraging to see the rising numbers of students who fulfilled the requirements and will graduate with the honor.
This year, nearly 100 students will do so, quite the leap from the 15 students in the program's first graduating class two years ago.
At the same time, this leap in enrollment and graduation rates comes after the program lowered its requirements. Instead of two service-related classes, participants now have to take only one. While the other requirements remain lofty, decreasing the academic component of the public scholars program reduces some of the scholarly aspect.
We're not suggesting Public Service Scholars drop the last word of its title - Public Service People just doesn't have quite the same ring to it. And after all, the required 300 hours of community service is no small sacrifice.
By promoting service-related classroom training, the program isn't only encouraging community service, it is providing a pathway for students to get even more involved in volunteering.
And with the class commitment halved, the program naturally becomes more available to students with tight schedules, at least partially accounting for the increased enrollment.
Though the 1,000th Public Service Scholar might not have the same requirements as the first did, the program should be proud of making such gains in a short period of time.
With the supposed trend of college students being more apathetic and disconnected from their communities, we are glad to see that this program is gaining popularity.
We hope that in the years to come, this program only continues to grow.
