The Drake University Student Alumni Association (SAA) was recently recognized for its Philanthropy @ Drake program, beating out nearly 300 organizations from across the country. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Affiliated Student Advancement Programs (ASAP) honored the organization with the 2012 Outstanding External Program Award. SAA was one of three student groups to receive this national award.

Drake also presented on the Philanthropy @ Drake program during the CASE ASAP conference, which was held in August in Indianapolis, Ind.

“This is an important award because it recognizes all of the hard work put forth by our SAA executive board to propel us to the forefront of student engagement initiatives,” says Jessica Berger, assistant director of campus and student engagement. “Our organization has never won a national award for our programming, so we are very honored to receive such high recognition.”

The SAA led Philanthropy @ Drake program is a week devoted to celebrating the impact of philanthropy on campus. A variety of events are held across campus to raise awareness that everyone at Drake benefits from charitable giving by the University’s supporters.