ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell Public Service Center and the Office of the Cornell Commitment are seeking nominations for the seventh annual Community Spirit Awards Program, which honors Cornell University students for exemplary community volunteering.

This awards program was developed in the spring of 1998 at the request of the Cornell Public Service Center's community partners as a means to recognize outstanding students volunteering in the local community.

To date, more than 120 students have been recognized with Community Spirit Awards for their off-campus volunteer efforts. Last year's recipients were honored by community programs, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Sciencenter and the Women's Opportunity Center. "This is a wonderful way to recognize a student who has contributed his or her time, energy and enthusiasm to your organization and this community," said Renee Farkas, Cornell Public Service Center assistant director for community programs.

Awards will be given in five categories: "Community Building," "Dedicated Service," "Excellence in Academics and Service," "Innovation in Service" and "Star Performer". Winners of the awards will receive certificates of recognition and service pins, and their names will be added to the plaques hung in the Public Service Center.

Nominees can include any Cornell student -- undergraduate and graduate -- who is volunteering in the community. Award recipients and their nominators will be honored at a reception April 22.

Community Spirit Awards nominations are due by March 19 at 4:30 p.m.

For further information or to obtain a nomination form, contact the Cornell Public Service Center at (607) 255-1148 or visit the office's Web site at http://www.psc.cornell.edu , where forms can be downloaded (under Printable Forms).