Every spring since 1989 the Cornell Tradition, an alumni-endowed student recognition program at Cornell University, has honored its own graduating seniors with recognition awards. The nine 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, a program of the university's Cornell Commitment Office, was established in 1982 through an anonymous gift of $7 million. The program awards 545 fellowships each year to Cornell undergraduate students based on their work experience, campus or community service, leadership and academic achievement.

Each senior recognized will establish a $4,000 Cornell Tradition-named fellowship for other students during the 2006-07 academic year and designate a nonprofit agency for a $500 gift.

This year's Cornell Tradition Senior Recognition Award winners:

Marie-Jouvelle Aubourg, College of Arts and Sciences, has established the Marie-Jouvelle Aubourg Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Pediatric Care Unit.

Melissa Bergman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has established the Melissa Bergman Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to the Vitamin L Project in Ithaca.

Blair Corcoran, College of Arts and Sciences, has established the Blair Corcoran Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to the Tompkins Learning Partners Inc., Ithaca.

Ruben Frescas Jr., College of Human Ecology, has established the Ruben Frescas Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to the Class of 2006, Ithaca.

Omar Nolan, College of Architecture, Art and Planning, has established the Omar Nolan Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to New Jersey Seeds, Newark, N.J.

Patrick Pierre-Louis, College of Architecture, Art and Planning, has established the Patrick Pierre-Louis Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to Community Action Project, Brooklyn, N.Y.

John Rawlins III, College of Human Ecology, has established the John Rawlins III Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Women of Virtue Scholarship Fund, Washington, D.C.

Cameron Shaw, School of Hotel Administration, has established the Cameron Shaw Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to the Centro de Idiomas, Ocotal, Nicaragua.

Jarrett Stoltzfus, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, has established the Jarrett Stoltzfus Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution to the Center for Religion, Ethics and Social Policy at Cornell.

During the past 18 years, 185 Cornell Tradition seniors have received the program's awards. They, in turn, have awarded 87 fellowships to other undergraduates, while more than $250,000 has been awarded to nonprofit agencies, including more than $125,000 to nonprofit organizations in the Ithaca community.

In addition to these awards, Cornell Tradition gave the Jennifer Loren Herskowitz '88 Cornell Tradition Point of Light Award, honoring the namesake's "quiet and uncommon generosity, reflecting the goodness, compassion, strength of character, devotion and regard for humanity," to Shashi Bhat, College of Arts and Sciences. She has established the Bhat Family Cornell Tradition Fellowship and made a contribution of $500 to the Cornell Tradition.