GREENVILLE, S.C.—Furman University sophomore Andrew Barnhill received a special honor when President George W. Bush visited the campus Saturday night to speak at commencement.

      After he arrived in Greenville, President Bush personally presented Barnhill with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his work with the Heller Service Corps.  To thank them for making a difference in the lives of others, the President honors a local volunteer when he travels throughout the United States.

      As director of the Heller Service Corps, Barnhill oversees an award-winning student volunteer program that provides a wide variety of services to the Greenville community.  The Heller Service Corps was honored in February by being named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth.

      Barnhill recently organized May Day Play Day, one of the nation’s largest college-based community outreach programs that pairs college students with underprivileged children for a day of educational and recreational activities.  He also serves children with disabilities as a volunteer with the Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, the Special Olympics, and Push America, a hands-on service program of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi.  In addition, last February, Barnhill organized a Valentine's Dance for Greenville Exceptional Adults.

      For more information, contact Furman’s News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.

###########