ITHACA, N.Y. -- Since 1989, the Cornell Tradition, an alumni-endowed recognition program at Cornell University, has been recognizing its own graduating seniors with Senior Recognition Awards. And in true Tradition spirit, say the program's administrators, the 10 senior fellows who have been honored with these awards for their community service and leadership efforts will use their monetary winnings to benefit others.

The Cornell Tradition was established in 1982 through an anonymous gift of $7 million. It awards 600 fellowships each year to Cornell undergraduate students based on their work experience, campus and/or community service, leadership and academic achievement. And, as in past years, Cornell Tradition fellows are well represented among Cornell students who have won other prestigious awards, scholarships and fellowships, nationally, at Cornell and in the Ithaca community.

Each year Cornell Tradition Senior Recognition Awards are given to a limited number of Cornell Tradition fellows. Each of those recognized can either designate the $4,000 award as a charitable contribution to a non-profit agency or establish a Cornell Tradition named fellowship for another student during the subsequent academic year.

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, recognition award winners must also demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the Tradition and to remaining active as Cornell alumni.

"The Cornell Tradition has provided me with many fond memories and wonderful opportunities," said Debra Newman, an award recipient. "I plan to continue my involvement in community service and hope to contribute to the future of the program."

"Our mission statement challenges the program's alumni to stay involved, to forward the Tradition‚" said Susan W. Hitchcock, Cornell Tradition director. "The winners' donation of their awards not only fulfills that mission, it strengthens our campus and community. At its core, the Tradition is really about giving. In this case, donors give to the program, the program gives to students and, ultimately, the students give back to the community. By donating their awards, these seniors, in essence, complete the giving cycle.

"For the majority of our fellows, that process brings about deeper understanding of the needs that exist in our world, both seen and unseen," Hitchcock continued. "Some tell us that these needs have a greater impact because they are framed by the wealth of knowledge, money and influence at the university. It is not surprising that many of our alumni choose to enter the non-profit sector.

"Experience shows that these senior's gifts of $4,000 are not so much the completion of one giving cycle, but the start of a much more invaluable one as alumni. Nonetheless, we're glad to recognize the seniors, and the agencies appreciate the funding," she concluded.

Of the 10 recognition awards given this year, seven have been designated to local agencies, three will endow Cornell Tradition fellowships for next year, two seniors are donating their awards to church organizations, and two more are making donations to youth service agencies in Vermont and Alaska.

This year's Cornell Tradition Senior Recognition Award winners, their hometowns, the names of the fellowships they received through the Cornell Tradition and their award designations are as follows:

Khary Barnes of Rosedale, N.Y.; Andrew and Alexandra Chapko Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Scholarship Fund of Springfield Gardens, N.Y.

Krista Beiswenger of New Hartford, N.Y.; Rebecca Quinn Morgan Cornell Tradition Fellow; one year Cornell Tradition fellowship to a student from New Hartford Senior High School or another high school in the Utica Area.

Erin Brannan of Visalia, Calif.; Patricia Knowles Wood Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to be awarded to On-Site Volunteer Services of Ithaca, N.Y.

Dornechia George of Suwanee, Ga.; Nancy Lawrence and H. Laurance Fuller Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to be awarded to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mu Upsilon Chapter, in Ithaca.

Meg Gluckman of Morrisville, Vt.; Quill and Dagger Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to be awarded to Vermont Youth Conservation Corps of Waterbury, Vt.

Todd Hilgendorff of Round Top, N.Y.; Marsicano Foundation Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to be awarded to the Kodiak Science and Salmon Camp of Kodiak, Alaska, in loving memory of Blain T. Whitcomb.Tamika Lewis of Silver Spring, Md.; Class of 1989 Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to Greater Ithaca Activity Center (GIAC) in Ithaca.

Kavel McLean of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Rebecca Quinn Morgan Cornell Tradition Fellow; donation to the Lighthouse Seventh Day Adventist Church (Adventurer's Club) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Debra Newman of Yonkers, N.Y.; Cornell Tradition Honorary Award; the Chi Omega Cornell Tradition Fellowship for a sister in Chi Omega Fraternity of Ithaca.

Michael Pattison of Dryden, N.Y.; Rebmann and Calloway Cornell Tradition Fellow; Burton K. Pattison Fellowship to be awarded to a firefighter or EMS technician in Tompkins or Cortland County, N.Y, who exceeds Cornell Tradition minimum program requirements.

During the past 12 years, 147 Cornell Tradition seniors have received this recognition. They, in turn, have awarded 58 fellowships to other undergraduates, while more than $200,000 has been awarded to nonprofit agencies. More than $80,000 has been awarded to the Ithaca Community alone, benefiting agencies such as the Southside Community Center, On Site Volunteer Services, Planned Parenthood, Loaves and Fishes, and many others.

Describing Tradition's role at Cornell and in his own life, award winner Todd Hilgendorff said: "Thanks in large part to Tradition, I am completing my undergraduate studies with much more than 'book learning.' I am a more self-confident and poised person. I have become socially aware and learned to work as part of a team. Most importantly, I have been involved in service to others."

Related World Wide Web sites: The following site provides additional information on this news release.

o Cornell Tradition: http://www.commitment.cornell.edu/tradition/flash/main.html

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