06/07/95

CONTACT: Stanford University News Service (650) 723-2558

Eleven Stanford students honored for service to university

STANFORD -- Eleven Stanford students have received the James W. Lyons Awards for Service for the 1994-95 spring quarter.

The students were honored at a dinner and ceremony Tuesday, June 6. The awards, named for Stanford's longtime dean of student affairs, were presented by Jim Larimore, acting dean of students.

Alyson Feldman, a senior in psychology, was nominated by Dr. Ira Friedman and Carole Pertofsky of the Cowell Student Health Center. Feldman was honored "for her tireless commitment, energy and compassion devoted to AIDS/HIV education." She helped establish Stanford's HIV Anonymous Testing Peer Counseling Program in 1992, has directed Project SAVE (Stanford AIDS Volunteer Educators) and coordinated Stanford AIDS Awareness Week.

Lisa Lee, a senior in international relations, was nominated by Verity Powell of the Undergraduate Advising Center. Lee was singled out "for the heart and soul she puts into her work with service groups on campus and in the community." She chaired the Asian American Students Association, was a member of the Council of Presidents, worked with the national Korean Students Association and tutored young people in San Jose.

Michael Cohen, a senior in urban studies, was nominated by Professor Leonard Ortolano, civil engineering, for leading the Students for Environmental Action at Stanford, for "playing a strong personal role in enhancing the attention given to environmental justice at Stanford," and for "his extraordinary contributions to the Program on Urban Studies, including volunteering as a teaching assistant for Urban Studies 110."

Marissa Flannery, a junior in American Studies, was nominated by Obi Ugwonali, a graduate of Stanford. Flannery was honored "for her energetic and unselfish leadership in the Stanford American Indian and Alaska Native community," and for playing an instrumental role in the creation of a Native American peer counseling course. She also was a counselor and mentor with the Upward Bound Program.

Craig Skotdal, a senior in English, was nominated by Nancy Deason and Carla Dunn of the Disability Resource Center. Skotdal created the center's newspaper, Milestones, "supporting it with his creative energy, photographic skill and reporter's sense." He also was honored "for the inspiration he provides others to contribute to the paper; and for his willingness to do whatever it takes to make the paper a success."

Christine Golde, a doctoral student in education, was nominated by Nanci Howe, director of the Office of Student Activities. Golde was honored "for her dedication to improving services for graduate students, especially for women, by revitalizing the Graduate Women's Network." She also successfully proposed a new fellowship program to the Institute for Research on Women and Gender.

Renee Blake, a doctoral student in philosophy, and Tristina Gridiron, a graduate student in education, were nominated by Dandre DeSandies and Ruby Mason of the Undergraduate Advising Center, and by the Rev. Floyd Thompkins Jr., associate dean of the chapel. Blake and Gridiron were cited for coordinating Partners for Academic Excellence, a pilot program that connects African American freshmen with African American faculty, staff, graduate student and alumni mentors.

Linda Soledad Ramos, a senior in American studies, was nominated by Frances Morales and Chris Gonzalez Clarke of El Centro Chicano. They noted Ramos' "remarkable ability to empower and inspire others to learn through such programs as Project Motivation, Barrio Assistance and You Can Make a Difference." She also helped organize volunteers for new student orientation and was a coordinator for the Chicano/Latino Buddy Program.

Susan Thomas, a senior in public policy, was nominated by Jeanne Halleck and John Newsome of the Haas Center for Public Service, and by Jon Oram of Stanford in Government. They called attention to "her truly extraordinary leadership of Stanford in Government," during which she increased its "commitment to cross-cultural communication and collaboration across diverse racial, ethnic and political communities."

Emily Dossett, a senior in religious studies, was nominated by Vince D'Andrea of Counseling and Psychological Services. Dossett created and directed SPEAK (Stanford Peers Encounter Awesome Kids), an education and support project that reaches out to homeless children and adolescents in Santa Clara County.

The James W. Lyons Awards for Service were established to recognize and applaud service contributions made by students from a variety of schools, departments, teams, clubs, residences and community projects. Selections are made on the basis of nominations by faculty, staff and students. All enrolled students are eligible.

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