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

March 25, 2001

UNM ANNOUNCES 2002 CLAUVE OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD WINNERS

The recipients of the 2002 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 11.

This year’s recipients are Andrea Cook, Josh Ewing, Louie Garcia, Nick Menicucci, Tina Pham Nguyen, Grant Nichols and John Probasco.

Cook is a public relations major and a business general management minor. She is the daughter of Gordon and Cheryl Cook and a graduate of Aztec High School. After graduation she plans to pursue the dual degree program, MBA/JD, at UNM. She is president of ASUNM and is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Chi Omega Sorority, Panhellenic Council, Trailblazer and football ambassador. She has served as a student intern for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. and as a founder and student advisor/mentor for the UNM Student Success Center.

“This award means achieving my goals as an undergraduate by contributing to the University of New Mexico and Albuquerque communities while also succeeding academically,” Cook said. “It means a lot to be honored by a university as outstanding as UNM.”

Ewing, a Regents’ Scholar, is a political science and Spanish major. He is the son of Steve and Cori Ewing and a graduate of Sandia Prep in Albuqurque. Ewing works at Sandia National Laboratories in the National Security and Arms Control Division and Advanced Concepts group. He is working with Admasu Shunkuri, UNM Lecturer III, on research for a book on political and societal transition in South Africa. Ewing is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

“I am thrilled to receive this award, but I think a larger portion of the credit goes to the UNM folks who have helped me out along the way,” Ewing said. “I would put them up against anyone in the nation, and I know that they would more than hold their own. I have met some of the most decent and incredible people during my four years here.”

Garcia is majoring in biology and Spanish with a concentration in conservation biology and is a McNair scholar. He is the son of Louie Garcia and Marcia Jurado and graduated from Valley High School in Albuquerque. Garcia is indigenous of Tigua, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Xicano background. This summer Garcia will be conducting bio-agricultural research in indigenous communities in Mexico. He plans to go to graduate school at UNM to obtain a master’s degree and continue on to earn a Ph.D.

Garcia is a member of Minority Undergraduate Fellowship National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He is also a member of Los Guerreros de Chicomostoc Axtec Dance Group de UNM, Kalpulli Chalchiuhuitzilin (Jade Hummingbird) de UNM, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanos de Azlan (MEChA) de UNM, and Chicanas/os for Chiapas.

“I am extremely honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” Garcia said. “I accept this award on behalf of all of the students of color who have helped make positive changes at this institution. Receiving this award has really made me take a step back and reflect on my years at UNM. They have been hard and very trying at times, but they have also been very rewarding and receiving this award has made me realize that my efforts have made an impact. In my culture, one does not strive for recognition. We are driven by the love and support of our families and communities.”

Menicucci is a physics and math major. He is the son of Barbara and David Menicucci and a 1997 graduate of St. Pius X High School. After graduation he intends to find work in physics and prepare his applications for graduate program(s). His interests are in string theory and quantum information, and he has done research at UNM in the latter.

He is a member of Golden Key National Honor Society, Society of Physics Students, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Pi Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and a leader for CAPS Physics and Astronomy Team.

“I feel very honored to receive the Clauve award, and I am grateful to my advisor, Dr. Daniel Finley, for nominating me and to everyone I have worked with over the past four and a half years that have helped me in my accomplishments,” Menicucci said. “It feels great to be recognized for these efforts.”

Nguyen is a biology and Spanish major and is the daughter of Henry and Lena Nguyen. She graduated from Eldorado High School. After graduation, she will go on exchange to Latin America to volunteer at clinics and plans is to attend medical school.

“I’m extremely thankful to receive such a high honor and recognition for doing what I enjoy,” Nguyen said. “It’s great to do exactly what I like to do, have a good time, and have the university grant me this honor for what I do in my spare time.”

She is active in ASUNM, biology club, Community Experience-Spring Storm —a community service project, Hokona Hall Community Association, Residence Hall Association and Student Success Center. She is a volunteer for the operating room at UNM Hospital. She is a member of Golden Key and was named to Who’s Who Among American Universities.

Nichols is a political science and biology major. He graduated from Mayfield High School and is the son of John and Ann Darden. After graduation he plans to work in the political realm for a year and then attend law school.

He is has been active with ASUNM, planning for the Spring Storm. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta, College Republicans, Residence Hall Association, Golden Key, Mortar Board Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

“This award is very humbling,” Nichols said. “There have been so many people who have allowed me to be involved and get the most out of my college experience. I am honored that I could use all the assistance I have received to make a positive impact at UNM.”

Probasco is majoring in biochemistry and is the son of Calvin and Maria Probasco of Rio Rancho. He graduated as valedictorian from Alamogordo High School. After graduation, he intends to intern in Washington D.C. through the Truman Scholarship Foundation Summer Institute Program. In the fall, he will begin his studies as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Joint Honour School of Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology. After his time in England, he intends to return to the U.S. to begin his medical education.

Probasco has received some of the most prestigious scholarships offered in the United States including the Rhodes Scholarship, Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholarship and Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. He is also a UNM Regents’ Scholar.

“I feel that the Clauve award is a recognition for my love for the University of New Mexico,” Probasco said. “I have enjoyed studying, working and volunteering throughout my time here at UNM and see the award as a form of thanks. I, however, am the one to be thankful, for I would not have been able to realize and enjoy all that I have without the support and opportunities offered by the faculty, staff and administration of UNM.”

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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