Contact:

Randy Boeglin, 277-6448 or Michael Padilla, 277-1816

March 27, 2001

UNM ANNOUNCES CLAUVE OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD WINNERS

The recipients of the 2001 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 Wednesday, April 18.

This year’s recipients are Kanika Chawla, Shanti Frausto, Irvin Harrison, Jennifer Ca-fen Liu and Barbara Tapp.

Chawla, from Socorro, will receive her degree in chemical engineering, chemistry. After graduation she plans to enroll in a graduate program in Biomedical Engineering. “I have several graduate school options but haven’t decided yet where I will be going,” she said, adding that her options include University of California-San Diego, University of California-Berkeley, University of Michigan, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania and Georgia Tech. Chawla is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, UNM Biology Club, India Students Association, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Golden Key National Honor Society and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. She volunteers for several organizations and serves as a UNM Regents’ Scholars Mentor.

Frausto, from El Paso, will receive degrees in Biology and Spanish. He plans to apply to the UNM-School of Medicine and will seek employment as a laboratory technician in a biomedical research laboratory either at UNM or with a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company. Frausto will also be applying for a regional board member position with the Omega Delta Phi fraternity. He volunteers for UNM's El Centro De La Raza and is active on several other activities. He is a member of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Golden Key Honor Society, and the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.

Harrison, from Farmington, will receive his degree in English and professional writing. He plans to attend graduate school. He is a member of the UNM Alumni Trailblazers, Golden Key International Senior Honor Society, UNM Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society, UNM Blue Key Honor Fraternity and he participates in numerous boards and committees. He is a Ronald McNair scholar and is developing a detective poetry anthology for publication.

Liu, from Albuquerque, will receive her degree in biology and business. After graduation her plan is to apply to UNM Medical School and work on a research project in the Biochemistry department. This summer she will be traveling to Taiwan to visit family and refresh her Chinese language skills. “I think this will be a very interesting trip and I hope to learn some neat culture,” she said. Liu serves as president of the Associated Students of UNM (ASUNM). She is a member of the Pre-Medicine Club, Biology Club, Operations Management System Association, UNM Alumni Trailblazers, Emerging Leaders, Taiwanese Student Association, Minority Engineering Math and Science (MEMS), Kappa Gamma Sorority, Greek Panhellenic Council and the Educational Society for Resource Management.

Tapp, from Albuquerque, will receive her degree in travel and tourism management. Upon graduation she plans to gain business consulting experience, preferably within the hospitality industry. She is the president of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and a member of the SPURS Honor Society and the Tourism Management Association. She has served on the Coronado Residence Hall Association and has participated in several on- and off-campus activities.

The awards are presented annually to seniors who have displayed significant academic achievement and contributions, and who have had a positive influence on fellow students and or the University. The award is named after Dean Emeritus Lena Clauve, former dean of Women Students at UNM.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
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Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981