Bethlehem, Pa., September 9, 2015 -- Moravian College President Bryon L. Grigsby ’90 is one of 50 college presidents invited to the White House for the “President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge White House Convening” on Thursday, September 10.

President Grigsby will be accompanied by Gillian Smith Sharkey, director of civic engagement at Moravian College, for a meeting with President Obama at the White House. Moravian College was invited to attend as an institution that participates in faith-based, community service.

This year’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge White House Convening offers an opportunity for presidents and chancellors of American institutions of higher education to meet with peers. This year, The White House is inviting guests from other countries to attend this convening to explore more models of interfaith service and engagement.

Smith Sharkey and two Moravian College students, Kaitlin Habermehl ’18 and Rose Roberts ’18, will attend the related event, the Fifth Annual President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge Gathering that begins on the afternoon of September 10 on the campus of Howard University, and runs through Friday afternoon on September 11.

“I am excited to represent Moravian College at the workshop series being held at Howard University,” said Gillian Smith Sharkey. “Our students will benefit greatly from networking with others who have a passion for civic engagement. Armed with new ideas and initiatives from across the country, we view this event as a first step in becoming a more active participant in our local community.”

The community service campus challenge is sponsored by The White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the U.S. Department of Education, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Department of State.