Just last week, the University of Nevada, Reno celebrated its commitment to “Campus Compact,” a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and universities that have dedicated their campuses to encouraging and increasing service-learning and civic engagement.

In that spirit, the University’s Honors Program participated in the fifth annual Honors Snapshot Day photo gallery projecthosted by Macaulay Honors College in New York City, which asked students to take a photograph of something in their community that motivates them to serve. Macaulay Honors College partnered with the University of Nevada, the University of Indianapolis and Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York.

Student participants took photos on Oct. 11, posted them to the online gallery, and then provided feedback on photographs and essay submissions from each partnering school. The winning students were chosen based on essays and will attend this year’s Snapshot NYC 2010 photo exhibition and art show at Macaulay Central in Upper West Side, New York City on Dec. 12.

“We are thrilled to be sending two students to New York in recognition of their creativity and commitment to service,” said Alex Ellison, an AmeriCorps VISTA member placed by Nevada Volunteers in the University’s Honors Program to increase campus volunteerism. “We see the need for greater service-learning on college campuses and we think this is a great way for students to be involved with their community and to build relationships with other universities.”

Selected to represent the University of Nevada, Reno is Wooster High School graduate, Honors student, freshman and dual economics and international affairs major Cayla Harvey and Galena High School graduate, Honors student, freshman and international affairs major Jonathan Carral.

Harvey and Carral were selected out of 100 photo submissions from the University’s nearly 500 Honors students and will be treated to an all-expenses paid trip to the cross-campus exhibit.

“The theme of the project, “What Motivates You to Serve?,” attracted my attention because I enjoy volunteering in my community and I thought it was a good opportunity for students to express their views of service,” Harvey said. “I took a photograph of the Student Unionfrom the top of the parking garage, to show how the beauty of my university inspires me to get involved in my own community.”

Carral decided to give the contest a shot because he loves photography and has a passion for service.

“The symbolism in my photo, Charles Paul Anderson, accurately depicts my passion for service in my community,” Carral said. “Like most of my friends from downtown Reno, Charlie is homeless. His poverty, mounted atop the symbol of Reno’s fame, tells of yet another story of dreams lost. Charlie embodies every reason why I am motivated to serve in my community.”

“It really is an honor to be able to represent my university, especially in an event as prestigious as this,” Carral added. “Hopefully we can have more opportunities to encourage forms of service in our community.”