Lenkowsky is a leading scholar on philanthropy and volunteering, and has been active in bipartisan efforts to advance national service for more than a decade. Former President Clinton twice appointed him to serve on the Corporation's board of directors, and former President George H. W. Bush named him to the Corporation's predecessor agency, the Commission on National and Community Service.

"I am deeply honored by the President's plan to nominate me," said Lenkowsky. "As a board member for eight years, I have seen national service become a powerful force for changing lives and improving communities. If confirmed, I look forward to fulfilling the President's vision of invigorating citizenship and helping those whom prosperity has left behind, while making national service even more effective and successful," Lenkowsky said.

Lenkowsky has served since 1997 as a professor of philanthropic studies and public policy at Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis. He is also a research associate of The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. From 1990 to 1997, Lenkowsky served as President of the Hudson Institute and from 1985 to 1990, he served as the President of the Institute for Educational Affairs. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and received a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

"I have known Les for a long time, and I think the President has made a tremendous choice," said Stephen Goldsmith, chair of the Corporation's board and special advisor to President Bush on faith-based and community initiatives. "Les is a national leader in philanthropy and service who will bring a wealth of insight and experience to this position," said Goldsmith.

President Bush has made citizen service and civic renewal a priority of his administration. In his Inaugural Address, he called on Americans to be "citizens, not spectators; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character." In his second week in office, he launched a major initiative to increase support for faith-based and community organizations to meet social needs. His 2002 budget continues and expands the Corporation and its programs. The budget requests $733 million to support service-learning, continue AmeriCorps at 50,000 members per year, and expand opportunities for senior service including new programs to involve seniors and veterans in tutoring youth.

"Les Lenkowsky's nomination is a great milestone for national service, demonstrating the truly bipartisan nature of these programs, including AmeriCorps," said Harris Wofford, former Senator (D-PA) and the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer from 1995 through 2001. "Les has been with National Service from the beginning as a thoughtful, constructive, devoted board member. Now he will be the strong, steady leader needed to take national service to a new level of success," Wofford said.

Created in 1993, the Corporation provides grant support and people power to thousands of nonprofit, faith-based, civic and educational organizations to develop or expand innovative approaches to community needs. These organization range from small community groups to America's largest nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the American Red Cross. More than 6,000 AmeriCorps members and 45,000 Senior Corps volunteers serve with faith-based organizations such as the Catholic Network for Volunteer Service, Lutheran Social Services and the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy.

Lenkowsky's nomination was commended by leaders in the nonprofit community. "Les Lenkowsky is a noted expert and scholar in the field of philanthropy and nonprofit service," said Sara E. Meléndez, President and CEO of Independent Sector. "We look forward to working with the Corporation for National Service under his leadership to advance the spirit of volunteerism and community service throughout the country."

Lenkowsky has published more than 150 articles, reviews and chapters, and is a frequent speaker to educational and philanthropic groups throughout the United States. At the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, in conjunction with the Fund for American Studies, Lenkowsky created a unique Summer Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service for college students. Believed to be the only one of its kind in the nation, the institute is an intensive, six-week residential program helping student volunteers better understand philanthropy and explore nonprofit career options through academic programs, internships, and community service.

"Through years of study and first-hand experience, Les understands as well as anyone the immense power of service to create involved citizens and help solve our nation's problems," said Thomas Erhlich, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. "With his sharp mind, big heart and deep commitment, Les will make an outstanding CEO."

For the full release visit the White House website at whitehouse.gov/news.