Contact:

Zak Ostrowki 463-6169 Robyn Gleasner 277-5851

March 22, 2002

CORRALES NATIVE INTEGRATES CREATIVITY AND INTELLIGENCE

Corrales native Zak Ostrowski integrates creativity and intelligence at the University of New Mexico. He became president of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Department Honor Society, in January 2002.

Ostrowski, son of Steve and Catherine Ostrowski, graduated from St. Pius X in 1998. As president of Sigma Tau Delta, Ostrowski organizes all meetings, festivals and conferences the honor society hosts. "I plan on making the organization stable and strong. My main goal is to get students interested in Sigma Tau Delta and open new ideas of communicating effectively from a creative standpoint," says Ostrowski.

Members of Sigma Tau Delta must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in English classes and a 3.5 overall grade point average. Sigma Tau Delta focuses on mastering written language expression and honoring students who have pursued literary studies as well as professional writing.

"I think the honor society stands for the pursuit of intellectual and creative growth," says Ostrowski. He wants peers to have the opportunity to "bounce ideas off one another, while becoming involved in the world of writing and literature."

Carolyn Woodward, the advisor for the organization says, "Zak's energies, original ideas, and efficient organization make him a strong leader. He's invaluable as president of the group."

Ostrowski says, "The main reason I became involved stemmed from my desire to discuss literature and issues of language usage among my peers. It is useful to have people who are interested in the same type of subject matter come together to discuss relevant issues."

A goal is to organize a communicative arts festival. Ostrowski says "I wanted the opportunity to integrate art with English in a mutual effort. UNM needs more departmental unification and also must help open the eyes of students to different forms of creative media. I felt that it became time to have a festival that explored poetry, music and art."

Ostrowski plans to graduate from UNM in May 2002 with a bachelor's degree in English. His plans include working as an art director and eventually opening a gallery.

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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