Iowa Wesleyan In Front Of SLIAC/SAAC Service Award

Iowa Wesleyan University has jumped out to the lead in their bid to end MacMurray College's reign in the SLIAC SAAC Service Award. The SLIAC service award recognizes schools that make a difference in their community through holding fundraisers, participating in community service, and volunteering with local organizations. MacMurray has won the overall award all four years since its inception. 

Iowa Wesleyan totaled 20,791 points this fall to hold the lead among SLIAC members. Tiger student-athletes picked up the majority of their points through service hours, totaling over 2,000 volunteer hours. Various events included the Healthy Halloween Walk, Hurricane Relief, and highway cleanup. Iowa Wesleyan also partners with the Mt. Pleasant Chamber office to volunteer for community events on the town square. Iowa Wesleyan also collected nearly 500 items, adding to their total. 

MacMurray is less than 3,000 points behind Iowa Wesleyan. The Highlanders totaled 18,321 points. The athletic department received over 8,000 points for the fundraising efforts with Hurricane Relief. MacMurray also held various team fundraisers for organizations like The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Set, Serve, Rally For The Cure for cancer research and prevention. 

Principia College racked up 13,140 points this fall and are in fourth place. Every fall Principia begins the school year with a week of giving, visiting local nursing homes and other organizations. In addition, each week Panther student-athletes spend time at the Alton Boys and Girls Club. 

Webster University stands in fourth place with 8,536 total points. This fall the Gorloks held their annual Webster Works Day, which involves student-athletes spending the day in the community. Events included clean-up efforts at Forest Park, visiting local elementary schools for reading sessions with children, and visiting local non-profit organizations. Webster also held a raffle and collected nearly $200 for Hurricane Relief. 

Fontbonne put up 6,450 points in the fall season. The Griffins had five of their athletic teams spend time this fall volunteering at local events and holding Hurricane Harvey Relief drives. The softball team also held a Dig Pink night and the Griffins also spent numerous hours volunteering at charity races such as Hot Cider Hustle, AFSP Walk, Pedal For A Cause. 

Greenville University picked up 1500 points this fall while Westminster College totaled 700 points. Eureka College and Spalding University both donated balls to a community center in Orlando as part of the CoSIDA Convention Service Project this past summer. 

The SLIAC/SAAC Service Award was established in 2013 with the goal of recognizing an institution that went above and beyond in giving back to their community. In 2016 the SLIAC expanded the award criteria to include community service projects, collections (food and clothing), and donations. Full criteria and the point system is listed below: