Washington, D.C. - John Enterline, a former AmeriCorps member whose term of service included assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina, has been named the first Eli Segal Fellow by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The fellowship is named in honor of Eli Segal, the first CEO of the Corporation, who served from 1993 to 1995. The Corporation’s Board of Directors suggested the idea of the fellowship after Segal passed away last February. The Eli Segal Fellow will work in the Office of the CEO on projects to advance the mission of national service and the strategic goals of the Corporation.

“John epitomizes the strength of America’s young people, who are embracing national service, just as Eli Segal did,” said Corporation CEO David Eisner. “The combination of his personal insightfulness and his service in the Gulf region is compelling. He will be a future leader in Eli Segal’s footsteps.”

The fellowship competition was open to AmeriCorps alums who served full-time in the past three years. Candidates were sought who had strong leadership abilities, dedication to the ideals of national service, a social entrepreneurial spirit, and effective communication and analytical skills. Enterline was selected in a highly competitive process that produced strong applicants from all branches of AmeriCorps: State and National, VISTA and NCCC. A representative of the Segal family participated in the selection process.

“Our family is deeply grateful to the Corporation for National Service for establishing the Eli Segal Fellowship to honor Eli’s national service legacy,” said Segal’s widow, Phyllis. “John Enterline is exactly the kind of young leader Eli loved to discover and mentor—optimistic, energetic, practical, and above all, passionate about serving his country. We know he will make a tremendous difference as a Fellow this year and in the years to come.”

Enterline, 24, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Notre Dame in 2004. Following graduation he worked in Fort Wayne, Ind. and started tutoring children of refugees in his spare time. The tutoring sparked his interest in service, and he applied to AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps. He began serving in January of 2005 and during his 10-month term he served with several nonprofit organizations focusing on housing and the environment, as well working at a Red Cross facility in Louisiana assisting Hurricane Katrina victims. Looking back on his year of AmeriCorps service, Enterline recalled “the intangible life-changing forces that come to life within people around dedicated national service work.”

“It is an honor to be working among the people who have taken the torch of Eli Segal’s fire for national service and run with it,” Enterline said. “I am forever indebted to those who have made national service possible because of the impact it had on my life and those I served.”

The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Providing service opportunities for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds, Corporation programs include Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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