LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 19, 2008)—Bellarmine University has received the inaugural Collegiate Challenge University Leadership Award in honor of the volunteer efforts of its accounting students. The award is sponsored by Chilton & Medley CPAs and the Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) and is given to the university or college that contributes the most volunteer hours to the LABC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Bellarmine contributed 550 hours to VITA, which more than doubles the volunteer hours amassed by the University of Louisville, the next closest competitor. This year, the VITA program helped more than 7,100 taxpayers with their returns resulting in approximately $8 million in tax refunds for the local community.

LABC is a broad-based collaborative supported by the Metro United Way that is dedicated to promoting financial stability and asset building for individuals and families in the local area.