UW-Madison was named to the 2007 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction earlier this week.

The President’s Honor Roll began in 2006 and identifies schools based on the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation and other categories, according to a statement.

“We do a tremendous amount of community service and service learning,” Aaron Brower said, vice provost for teaching and learning. “It’s just part of the fabric of what we do on campus.”

Brower said the 100-year-old Wisconsin Idea contributes to students’ desire to help others. “We all want to do things that make a difference in the world,” Brower said, adding UW-Madison is consistently in the lead with producing volunteers for the Peace Corps and Teach for America.

UW-Madison’s Morgridge Center for Public Service facilitates many volunteer opportunities. Randy Wallar, the center’s associate director, said about 1,700 students are already signed up for “The 10,000 Hours Show of Dane County,” which encourages students to volunteer for at least 10 hours to earn a free rock concert ticket on April 2.

Wallar also mentioned more than 100 service learning courses are offered at UW-Madison annually, which the Morgridge Center helps to develop.

Students can work with Madison’s homeless, as well as disabled or incarcerated individuals in these courses.

Wallar said he and the Morgridge Center staff were “very happy” about the award.