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The University of New Mexico

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Media Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915

March 22, 2007

UNM Announces Outstanding Seniors
Clauve Awards awarded to seven

Recipients of the 2007 Clauve Outstanding Senior Award at the University of New Mexico have been announced by G. Randy Boeglin, UNM dean of students. The students will be honored at a recognition reception on Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m. in the SUB ballroom.

This year’s recipients are Deanna Armijo, Dohnia Dorman, Timiyin E-Nunu, Valerie Garcia, Lauren Huesemann, Matthew Maez and Ambrosia Ortiz.

Clauve Awards are given to UNM seniors who have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The award is based on leadership and involvement as well as academics. The award is named after Dean Emeritus Lena Clauve.

Presidential Scholar Deanna Armijo, a business administration and financial management major minoring in economics, serves as activities chair for the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was also its president. She earned national recognition for her work as vice president of standards for fraternity life.

Armijo serves on the Mortar Board Honor Society and held several student government posts. Her community service work includes working with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

“Community and campus involvement taught me valuable lessons, created lifetime friendships, and fostered my ability to be a leader in my future career field,” Armijo says.

Presidential Scholar Dohnia Dorman, a journalism/mass communication and Spanish major, is president of the American Advertising Federation student organization. She held several leadership positions with Pi Beta Phi sorority and has been a member of the Black Student Union.

Dorman participated in the University Honors Program, and tutored on and off campus, reading to elementary school children through the Champions are Readers Program. She helped raised funds for Katrina relief, was a member of the Homecoming court and served as a marketing intern for Sandia Prep.

“I attribute my success to being a competitive figure skater and a member of a performing dance company. Figure skating and dance taught me the true meaning of hard work, concentration, discipline, perseverance, self motivation and commitment,” Dorman says.

Timiyin E-Nunu , a biology and chemistry major, is a Lady Lobo. “A lot of emotional, physical and mental energy is expended towards playing Division-I basketball,” she says.

As a senior caption, E-Nunu tutored players and provided motivation prior to games. She served as president and treasurer of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, treasurer of the Student Letterman Alumni Association, and chair of the Hanging of the Greens event.

She assisted with events such as the Mountain West Conference Blood Drive, Reading is Leading Project, and visits to UNM Children’s Hospital.

Valerie Garcia, a psychology and anthropology major, served as president of Chi Omega sorority, as treasurer of the Mortar Board Honor Society. She is a Trailblazer and served in student government.

“Once I became an involved student I noticed I was becoming more confident, my public speaking skills were improving, my leadership skills were developing,” Garcia says.

As a new student orientation leader, Garcia helped youth make the transition from high school to college. She has presented at professional conferences, including the National Orientation Directors Association. She volunteers on and off-campus, helping to organize Fiestas and Spring Storm, and working with the organizations Make-A-Wish and Roadrunner Food Bank.

Regents Scholar Lauren Huesemann, an economics and languages major, is president of Phi Eta Sigma and the Honors Student Advisory Council. She worked with presidents of other honor societies to form a collation to strengthen the organizations. She helped plan and organize the advisory council’s first International Day, annual Open Mic Night and Faculty Appreciation Dinner.

Huesemann served as secretary for the newly created World Affairs Delegation, helping to raise funds to send student participants abroad. She also helped create the first UNM Model United Nations High School Conference. In addition, she volunteered on numerous campus committees and tutored UNM and elementary school students. “It has never been a question whether or not I would embrace both academics and leadership; to me, they are interconnected to the extent that each demands the other,” she says.

Matthew Maez , a business major and human resources minor, directed the student government’s Lobo Spirit Committee, increasing both the number and scope of spirit events. “Campus involvement was the most valuable element of my college education,” he says. “My experience was truly life changing.”

Maez served as staff appreciation chair for the UNM Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. He was a resident advisor and member of the Residence Hall Association. An Alumni Association Trailblazer, he devoted time as a student ambassador at events, including UNM Day at the Legislature. As a student orientation leader, he oriented new students and families to the campus.

Regents Scholar Ambrosia Ortiz, a political science and German major, served as Mortar Board Honor Society President. “If you don’t get involved in something social, charitable, intellectual – you are cheating yourself out of a life fully lived,” she says.

As president, Ortiz revitalized the Honors Student Advisory Council, a group that serves as a liaison between campus and the University Honors Program. She also held a student post on the Honors Curriculum Committee. She founded various pro-choice groups, served as a Trailblazer, and volunteered at campus and community events. She served as a tutor on and off campus.

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