Ten graduates are given special recognition by the Cornell Tradition

Each spring since 1989 the Cornell Tradition, an alumni-endowed student recognition program at Cornell, has been honoring its own graduating seniors with senior recognition awards. The 10 Tradition fellows who have been honored this year for their community service and leadership efforts will use their monetary awards to benefit others.

The Cornell Tradition was established in 1982 through an anonymous gift of $7 million. The program awards 600 fellowships each year to Cornell undergraduate students based on their work experience, campus and/or community service, leadership and academic achievement. It is a program of the university's Cornell Commitment office.

Each year Cornell Tradition Senior Recognition Awards are given to a limited number of Cornell Tradition fellows. Each of those recognized will establish a $4,000 Cornell Tradition named fellowship for other students during the 2004-05 academic year, and they will designate a $500 award as a charitable contribution to a non-profit agency of their choice. This year's senior recognition award winners come from five of Cornell's colleges.

The awards are competitively based on students' community service, leadership, work ethic and overall contribution to the quality of campus life. Winners are chosen by a selection committee composed of faculty members, administrators and Cornell Tradition alumni. In addition to dedication to work, service and scholarship, recognition award winners also must demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the Tradition and to remaining active as Cornell alumni.

This year's Cornell Tradition Senior Recognition Award winners and their award designations are as follows:

Silvana (Silvi) Alcivar, College of Arts and Sciences. Alcivar has established the Silvi Alcivar Cornell Tradition Fellowship for an undergraduate with an interest in and/or involvement with women's studies and women's issues and a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Alternative Breaks program in West Virginia, run through the Cornell Public Service Center.

William M. Balinbin, School of Hotel Administration. Balinbin has established the Hotelies Volunteering Today Cornell Tradition Fellowship for any undergraduate in the School of Hotel Administration from Hawaii or the West Coast, and he has offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Hotelies Volunteering Today program in the School of Hotel Administration.

Richelle Cristobal Cariño, College of Arts and Science and College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Cariño has established the Richelle Cristobal Cariño Cornell Tradition Fellowship for undergraduate women city and regional planning majors from California and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Ithaca Asian American Association.

Paul El-Meouchy, College of Arts and Sciences. El-Meouchy has established the Paul El-Meouchy Cornell Tradition Fellowship for a graduate of any of the United World Colleges and/or a Canadian resident and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance.

David E. Jackson II, College of Arts and Sciences. Jackson has established the Rev. Estella T. Jackson, Ed.S. Fellowship for an African-American student, preferably from the southeastern United States, with an interest in education, religion or ministry, or psychology and counseling, and he offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Greater Ithaca Activities Center's Science and Math Academy.

Jennifer A. Roberts, College of Arts and Sciences. Roberts has established the Jennifer A. Roberts Cornell Tradition Fellowship and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Cornell Council on Mental Health and Welfare.

Christopher W. Gibbs, College of Human Ecology. Gibbs has established the Christopher Gibbs Cornell Tradition Fellowship and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Kappa Chapter of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc.

Michael A. Romano, College of Engineering. Romano has established the Michael Anthony Romano Cornell Tradition Fellowship and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the Maryland Leadership Workshops Inc.

Rachel Ruggirello, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Ruggiello has established the Rachel Ruggirello Cornell Tradition Fellowship and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to On Site Volunteer Services of Ithaca.

Hamsa Stainton, College of Arts and Sciences. Stainton has established the Hamsa Stainton Cornell Tradition Fellowship for an undergraduate from Sullivan County, N.Y., and offered a charitable contribution of $500 to be awarded to the PRASAD Project, an international not-for-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life of economically disadvantaged people.

During the past 12 years, 167 Cornell Tradition seniors have received the program's Senior Recognition Awards. They, in turn, have awarded 69 fellowships to other undergraduates, while more than $241,000 has been awarded to nonprofit agencies. More than $120,000 has been awarded to the Ithaca Community alone, benefiting such agencies as the Southside Community Center, On Site Volunteer Services, Planned Parenthood and Loaves and Fishes.