NEWS RELEASE

6/18/01

Elaine Ray, News Service (650) 723-7162; e-mail: elaineray@stanford.edu

Marti Munns, Stanford Alumni Association (650) 723-1189; martib@stanford.edu

Senior Malia Villegas wins Sterling Award for service

Graduating senior Malia Villegas of Seattle is the recipient of the Stanford Alumni Association's 2001 J. E. Wallace Sterling Award for volunteer service at Stanford.

The announcement of her selection was made by Young J. Boozer III, chairman of the Stanford Alumni Association's board of directors, at Saturday's Senior Class Day Luncheon held on Ford Lawn.

Villegas graduated with honors Sunday, receiving a bachelor's degree in comparative studies in race and ethnicity and political science. On campus she has been a member of the Women's Community Center Advisory Board; head advising associate at Okada House; vice president of the Associated Students of Stanford University (ASSU); ethnic theme associate at Casa Zapata; public affairs intern at the Hoover Institution; member of the Committee to Select Graduate Student Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for the Native American Community; member of the LEAD Program; undergraduate senator of the ASSU; and member of the booth committee of the Stanford Powwow.

The Sterling Award cited Villegas "for her untiring efforts and proven ability to bring disparate campus communities together, through her steady and pioneering leadership, full of collaborative spirit; and for her commitment to underclassmen, both as a peer and mentor, and the realization that service is its own reward, no matter the challenges that stand in one's way; for her willingness to make change happen, not only as a free agent from the outside, but as an elected official from within; and for adding much needed credibility and sensitivity, in her service to student government at Stanford, enhancing the quality of life for students in and out of the classroom, and serving as a role model and good citizen of the Stanford community."

The Alumni Association presents the Sterling Award annually to students who have demonstrated dedication to volunteer activities while on campus. The award also is intended to encourage graduates to serve as volunteers for Stanford and in the public sector after commencement. Book awards also were presented to graduating senior finalists Alexis Kaminsky, Brandon Maughan, Cassandra Sweet and Delphine Tuot for their significant achievements as volunteers for the university and the community.

The Sterling Award is named for the late J. E. Wallace Sterling, who served as Stanford's president from 1949 to 1968. Upon his retirement, he was appointed chancellor and served in that capacity until his death in 1985. The award has been presented annually by the association since 1979 at Senior Class Day exercises during graduation weekend.

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By Elaine Ray