May 22, 1998 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3135 EUGENE--A total of 16 University of Oregon students received 1998 International Student Awards in recognition of their leadership and volunteer work on campus and in the community during the annual Family Weekend All-University Awards Luncheon on May 16. Of the recipients, two--Amita Malakar and Carlos Maza--received the Outstanding International Student Award and 14 received International Student Excellence awards. Winners of this year's excellence awards are Ana-Silvia Arauz-B., Soo-Hyun Bak, Marcelo Barros, Vassilis Dalakas, Catur Dewi, Luis Hernandez, Siew Pan "Michael" Kong, Elin Mok, Erica Pereira, Ambrose Poh, Aruna Pradhan, Karen Susilo, Mihoko Wada and Helena Vanhala. Each spring, the Friendship Foundation for International Students and the Office of International Education and Exchange recognize students who have made outstanding contributions to the university and local community. The awards are based on the students' success, leadership skills, and campus and community involvement. The two Outstanding International Student Award recipients are: Carlos Maza, a senior business administration major from Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico. He is a resident adviser in student housing and co-director of the Latin American and Caribbean Student Organization. He also served as a board member for Food for Lane County and as a student intern for the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Amita Malakar, a junior environmental studies major from Kathmandu, Nepal. She is the International Student Association's co-director and acted as a strong advocate on behalf of students affected by the Asian economic crisis. She is a board member of the Multicultural Center and of the Associated Students President's Advisory Council. The 14 recipients of the International Student Excellence Awards include: Soo-Hyun Bak, a postbaccalaureate fine and applied arts student, 8008 Onyz Court S.W., Tacoma, Wash. She is co-director of the International Student Association where she helped coordinate activities for the group. Marcelo Barros, a master of business administration student from Floianopolis, Brazil. He is the graduate teaching fellow who trains and supervises the public relations teams at the UO Career Center. He also developed an International Career Workshop for students interested in international careers. Erica Pereira, a senior journalism major from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is currently a resident assistant in student housing and, as an International Cultural Service Program participant, taught Portuguese at the university's Yamada Language Center. Ana-Silvia Arauz-B., a master's degree student in educational leadership from San Salvador, El Salvador. She is a participant in the International Cultural Service Program and served as a translator for 25 Chilean administrators who visited the university during winter term. Helena Vanhala, a master's degree student in journalism from Tampere, Finland. She holds the highest grade-point average of all the students in her graduate program and was instrumental in establishing a faculty exchange program between the University of Oregon and the University of Tampere, Finland. Vassilis Dalakas, a marketing doctoral degree student from Greece residing at 1824 Cal Young Rd., Apt. 1512, Eugene. He received the Lundquist College of Business award recognizing teaching excellence, and he coordinated projects with undergraduates for the Eugene Public Library and Lane County United Way. Elin Mok, a junior advertising major from Kowloon, Hong Kong who is the public relations officer for the International Student Association and was the master of ceremonies for China Night and International Night. Catur Dewi, a sophomore business administration major from Semarang, Indonesia who is the office manager for the International Student Association and a member of the International Student Advisory Committee. Karen Susilo, a senior fine and applied arts major from Indonesia residing at 1715 N.E. 92nd Ave., Portland. She helped organize workshops as an international peer assistant and volunteered for the International Student Association as production committee head for International Night. Mihoko Wada, a senior environmental studies major from Yokohama, Japan who has been working with children and adults in the Urban Farm Project and the Whitaker School's garden to raise awareness of organic gardening. Siew Pan "Michael" Kong, a senior business administration major from Selangor, Malaysia. He is a program coordinator for the International Student Association and participated in the New International Student Orientation last fall as a volunteer. Ambrose Poh, a master's degree student in architecture from Petaling Jaya, Malaysia who led Pangea, a group which promoted interdisciplinary exchange in the architecture and applied arts community. Pangea resulted in the creation of an interdisciplinary studio class last spring. Luis Hernandez, a senior business administration major from Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico. He is co-director of the Latin American and Caribbean Student Organization, mentored Hispanic youth through the Committed Partners for Youth program, and tutored for the High School Equivalency Program. Aruna Pradhan, a freshman architecture major from Kathmandu, Nepal who was head of the Food Committee and volunteered as the newsletter coordinator for the International Student Association. -30- #H-2227/Local,Hometowns/eb