DECATUR, Ill. — Millikin University student-athletes have earned national recognition for their commitment to service, finishing in the top four among all NCAA Division III institutions in the NCAA Fall Service Challenge.
The annual NCAA Community Engagement Impact Challenge celebrates student-athletes who go beyond competition to make meaningful contributions in their communities. During the challenge, Millikin student-athletes logged approximately 1,500 hours of service, generating an estimated $51,000 in community impact through volunteer efforts.
Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans emphasized the intentional culture of service within Millikin Athletics.
“I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches for embracing service as a core part of their Millikin experience,” said Kerans. “This honor represents thousands of moments where our teams chose to show up for their community, whether that meant fighting food insecurity, supporting local initiatives, or creating safer spaces for others. It speaks to the heart and character of Big Blue Athletics.”
Across all NCAA divisions, more than 83,000 student-athletes participated in the challenge, contributing more than 257,000 hours of service nationwide.
Millikin’s top-four finish places the Big Blue alongside national leaders in Division III, highlighting the University’s longstanding emphasis on character, leadership, and service through athletics.
Millikin student-athletes contributed to a wide range of service initiatives, including participation in the WSOY Community Food Drive, campus beautification projects, and community safety programming, such as self-defense workshops led in partnership with local law enforcement and the Big Blue Wrestling team.
These projects reflect Millikin’s Performance Learning philosophy, where students apply their skills and values in real-world settings while making a tangible difference in the community.
Millikin President Dr. Dean Pribbenow praised the student-athletes for exemplifying the University’s mission both on and off the field.
“This recognition is a powerful reflection of who our student-athletes are and what Millikin stands for,” said Pribbenow. “Finishing in the top four nationally demonstrates that service and leadership are woven into the fabric of the Big Blue experience. Our students continue to show that excellence is measured not only in wins and championships, but in the impact they make in the lives of others.”
