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MEDIA CONTACT: Linda M. Miller
561-297-3797, lmmiller@fau.edu
Outstanding Students and Faculty Recognized at FAU Honors Ceremony
BOCA RATON, FL (April 16, 2003) - Florida Atlantic University's Eileen Ariza, who prepares future educators to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages, celebrated diversity in addressing FAU's 35th Honors Convocation this week, saying that teachers must be aware that "students will forge their own learning paths in their own time."
Selected as the Distinguished Teacher of the Year by a university-wide student committee, FAU's top teacher urged the audience to "cherish the nontraditional individual." She used herself as an example, noting that she had taken the "17-year plan" to get her undergraduate degree. "I could be the poster child for the nontraditional student," said Dr. Ariza.
A variety of awards recognizing excellence in both students and faculty were presented at the annual Honors Convocation, at which FAU President Frank T. Brogan presided for the first time. "We are here to pay tribute to our students and our world-class faculty," said Brogan of the day's events.
In one of the highlights of the day, Dr. Nancy Romance, professor of Science Education and executive director of the Region V Area Center for Educational Enhancement, was named Research Professor of the Year; Dr. Mark Scroggins, English Department, received Research Associate Professor of the Year honors; and Carol Prusa, Art Department and a professional artist, was selected as Research Assistant Professor of the Year.
The 2003 recipient of the "Degree of Difference" award was Dr. Marilyn Federico, academic administrator and associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership. Established in 1996 by the FAU National Alumni Association, this award is presented annually to a faculty member who has made a positive impact upon FAU students.
In addition, for the first time, the University Teaching and Advising Awards were presented as part of the Honors Convocation. These award winners are selected by their peers from nominations forwarded by student/faculty committees in each college. This year's Undergraduate Teaching Awards went to: Lori Ellis, College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs; Carol Gould, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters; Kunal Banerji, College of Business; Eileen Ariza and Joan Lindgren, College of Education; Hanqi Zhuang, College of Engineering; Stephanie Fitchett, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College; and Rozzano Locsin, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. The Undergraduate Advising Awards were given to: Sandi Lent, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters; Mark Rupright, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College; and Louise Perry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
The University's top academic award for students, the Stan and Renee Wimberly Scholarship, was presented to Diane Arcuri, a graduating senior, majoring in psychology, with an emphasis in neuropsychology.
Prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Scholarships were awarded to Andrew Cosgreave, a graduating senior, majoring in International Business and Trade; and Niveen Yaseen, a mother of three who is graduating with a degree in chemistry.
The 2002-03 University Scholars, outstanding students representing eight of the University's colleges, include: Drew Albright, College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs; Bonnie Brisebois, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters; Anne Reinstein, College of Business; Trisha Dittmer, College of Education; Ursula Pamela Chavez, College of Engineering; Alicia Harraway, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College; Jameela Khan, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; and Anamaria Sudarov, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
The Female Student Academic Athlete of the Year was awarded to Rhonda Jones, a graphic design major, who led the soccer team to its first Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. The Male Student Academic Athlete of the Year went to Rusty Brown, a business management major, who is a leading hitter for the FAU baseball team. Despite being scouted by professional baseball teams, Brown has made education his top priority and has decided to stay in school.-FAU-
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