Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service received the Excellence in Service Student Group Award from the Maryland-D.C. Campus Compact last week for its commitment to voluntary service and civic engagement.

Compact, an education association devoted to combining the resources of local universities and their surrounding communities, presents this award annually to a private university in the Maryland-D.C. area.

GERMS was the first group nominated to apply for this award by the Center for Social Justice. The group began the application for the award in mid-July, which included detailing their civic engagement and service-learning involvement.

“I believe that GERMS was chosen as a recipient because of the incredible commitment, devotion and passion that all of our members exhibit each and every day in volunteering with GERMS,” GERMS Director of Public Relations Kate McClellan (COL ’14) said. “Without them, we would not be able to operate at the level of professionalism and effectiveness at which we now do.”

“GERMS is an organization that seeks to foster education, personal growth and community. We have sought to improve our organization every year since our founding,” McClellan added. “We could not be more grateful that the work that we love has been recognized by others, and are excited to continue serving the Georgetown community for the many years to come.”

In addition to helping students and community members in need, GERMS is rewarding for its members, McClellan said.

“GERMS is a transformative experience for many members, as, due to our internal emphasis on service to the community, our members leave the organization with a heightened sense of the value of serving one’s community and a unique perspective about doing so,” she said.

Claire McDaniel (COL ’14), GERMS crew chief, agreed.

“Our premise is 100 percent volunteer,” she said. “It’s so great to be recognized for doing something we love for the community we love.”