San Antonio, Texas (Jan. 15, 2011) – Alvernia University received the Josten's Community Service Award Saturday at a luncheon that was part of the 2011 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The university won the award for its assistance with the Wounded Warrior Run back on May 1, 2010. The run is a nationwide effort by the Wounded Warrior Project, which raises funds to support wounded veterans. On hand to receive the award Saturday was Alvernia Director of Athletics and Recreation, Bill Stiles.

“We are delighted to accept this award,” said Stiles. “Service is one of Alvernia's core values and is a tenet of our Franciscan identity. While this is an award from an athletics organization, it is important to recognize that the entire Alvernia Community is committed to service and our student-athletes are just one piece. I am especially grateful to Associate Athletic Director, Laura Gingrich for her work spearheading the effort behind the Wounded Warrior Run on our campus. “

The Josten's Community Service Award recognizes excellence demonstrated by athletes off the field. Josten's has been devoted to assisting community since 1987 and has been giving awards for outstanding community service to colleges since 2002. The award is used to recognize athletic institutions who participate in three separate categories of service, including: one-time community service projects, an array of community service projects, and on-going community service projects that take place within the school year. Josten's makes a monetary donation to the general scholarship fund of the winning institution in each of the three categories per academic year.

An estimated 400 participants came out to support the Wounded Warrior Run last May including more than 50 of Alvernia's student-athletes. Members of the men's and women's track and field, cross country, volleyball, men's tennis, and women's lacrosse teams all participated in organizing and operating the event which started and ended on the turf field located on campus. The purpose of the run was to raise awareness in the local community and aid those that had been severely injured in all branches of the military, while benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project.

This is the first time that Alvernia has been awarded the Josten's Community Service Award. Alvernia was recognized with an honorable mention for their service project during the 2004-05 academic year. The Middle Atlantic Conference was represented by Manhattanville College for the 2007-08 academic year.