The Office of Student Community Service promotes the development of engaged citizens by supporting student service and philanthropy organizations and connecting students to community agencies in Evanston and Chicagoland.

There are many ways you can get involved and help out. We can help you find a service organization on or off campus to join or help you plan a service event. Please feel free to stop by the office, check us out online or e-mail us to find the volunteer activity that fits you best.

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Ryan Prize

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Prize for Community Service

Established to honor the Ryans’ generous commitment to volunteer service on behalf of Northwestern University and the Chicago community, the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Prize for Community Service will honor a graduating senior who exemplifies leadership and service through participation in university and community activities. Because Northwestern greatly values the Ryans’ extraordinary example of volunteerism and commitment to community, this prize

and its recipients will be prominently recognized by the university. Each year a committee appointed by the President will select the winner of the Ryan Prize. The recipient will receive a cash award of $5,000.

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipient based on his or her record of achievement in community service:

Initiative: nominee sees a need in the community and responds

Innovation: nominee’s volunteer activity is innovative or unique in its approach (e.g. establishing a new program or taking a program to a new level)

Impact: nominee is making a significant positive impact in the community or a segment of the community

Commitment: nominee demonstrates substantial, continuing and current involvement

Inspiration: nominee inspires others to volunteer or contribute

Leadership: nominee demonstrates that he or she is developing significant leadership capacity

Collaboration: nominee emphasizes inclusiveness and involves others for the greater good

Academic Achievement: nominee must be in good academic standing

Ryan Prize Application 2012

Recognizing Northwestern Seniors For Volunteer Service
Application Deadline: April 13
Awards Presented at Honors Day: June 14, 2012
  • Please enter a value between 0.00 and 4.00.
  • Please enter a value between 0 and 200.

  • Essay Questions

    In no more than 1000 words (3 double spaced pages), please address these three questions.

    1. Describe your leadership role in volunteer activities as part of a Northwestern organization, class, or on your own initiative within the University community during your undergraduate years. Include a description of the time commitment (number of hours) involved in your volunteer service and the number of people affected or how your volunteer projects impacted the Northwestern community.

    2. If you wish, you may also describe volunteer service given outside and unconnected with the University, while attending Northwestern as an undergraduate.

    3. Comment on how your volunteer projects have affected you. What have you gained from volunteering that you can apply to your personal life, your career choice, and/or plans for further volunteer commitments after graduation?

  • Type or paste your response here.

  • Resume and Letters of Recommendation

    Please provide your resume and one or two letters of recommendation. You may include relevant brochures or other descriptive information regarding your activities. Those should be emailed or dropped off with Andrea Bell, Associate Director, Center for Student Involvement, Norris Center #3H, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. For further information: Phone 847-491-2050, e-mail andrea-bell@northwestern.edu.

    Download Recommendation Form (.doc file)

Annual Events

Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day is a campus wide day of service that takes place every October. Join us for a day of volunteering. You’ll meet other students and work with Northwestern student service organizations while contributing to the Chicago and Evanston communities.

Holiday Toy Drive

Northwestern students, faculty and staff donate toys, books games, and necessities that are passed on to families in need through local nonprofit agencies.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

In recognition of the community-building work done by Martin Luther King Jr., Northwestern students participate with the Chicago and Evanston communities in service projects to better the Chicago area. It’s a day to reflect on MLK’s message of service and activism and to put that inspiration into action.

National Volunteer Week

A tradition every April since 1973, National Volunteer Week honors and celebrates volunteers across the country. During the week, we feature outstanding volunteers, nominated by their peers or community agencies; we also recognize the efforts of all members of the Northwestern community that volunteered during the year.

Spring Volunteer Days

Throughout the week of National Volunteer Week, the Office of Student Community Service highlights great volunteer projects lead by student organizations and helps interested student get involved.

Freshmen Urban Program (FUP)

The Freshman Urban Program is a pre-orientation program for incoming freshmen. FUP is an introduction to the neighborhoods within Chicago and Evanston. The program examines the issues that face these communities, the organizations that serve them and the means by which Northwestern students can affect change. FUP employs the theory of Asset-Based Community Development in teaching participants about issues as varied as housing, education, health care, politics, gentrification and community organizing.