Over the past five years, LMU's commitment to community service has more than doubled because of $1 million challenge grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

This past year marked the last of four installments of the gift, allowing the Center for Service and Action (CSA) to expand service and learning opportunities for students, expand its connections with local nonprofit organizations and grow its endowment. Over the past five years, hours served by students grew from 68,000 to 170,000. Just as important, the Hilton Foundation challenged LMU to raise an additional $250,000, a commitment that was met in 2009 with the help of alumni, parents and friends.

"Without the funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Center for Service and Action would still be a small department with big ideas," says Pam Rector, CSA director. "The Hilton Foundation helped ensure that these services will be available to future generations of LMU students."