Special awards presented to members of Class of 2002

Ten seniors will receive Joslin Awards for leadership, service

The Office of Student Life has announced the recipients of the Joslin Award for Campus Leadership and Involvement. The award is presented to 10 seniors who have made significant contributions to the quality of student life through leadership and service in the Brown community. The award ceremony will be held Friday, May 24, at 4 p.m. in Salomon Center, room 101. The public is invited.

This year’s Joslin Award recipients are:

Anniedi Essien of Albany, N.Y., has been active in the Minority Peer Counselor Program since 1999, first as a counselor, and, most recently, as coordinator of the program, which provides resources and support to first-year students. In addition, Anniedi worked regularly with Career Services, often with the director, to assess and develop resources for undergraduates. Anniedi also was musical director of Shades of Brown, served as a Presidential Host, and was a Meiklejohn academic advisor. Anniedi will receive a degree in biomedical ethics.

Omar Haque of Holmdel, N.J., served on the Undergraduate Council of Students and was a student representative on the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid. In addition, he was co-president of Brown UNICEF, a delegate to the Ivy Council, and a volunteer with Big Brothers and the Steppingstones Project. A Meiklejohn advisor, he also was affiliated with the Pakistani Society at Brown, the Asian American Students Association and the Brown Muslim Students Association. Omar will receive an Sc.B. in neuroscience and an AB in religious studies.

Khambay Khamsyvoravong of Lincoln, R.I., has been active in a variety of campus organizations, in particular the Filipino Alliance and the Asian American Students Association. Khambay, who will receive a degree in biology, was a co-programmer of the 2001 Southeast Asian Week, and coordinator of the 2000 and 2001 “Legends of Southeast Asia” cultural show. For a number of years, Khambay served as a minority peer counselor and a Meiklejohn peer advisor, and worked with the Admissions Office to help recruit minority applicants.

The arts have been the avenue for much of Polina Malikin’s campus and community involvement. Polina, who will receive a degree in art and semiotics, was a coordinator for a variety of programs and projects run by Brown’s Creative Arts Council and by the departments of Visual Arts and Modern Culture and Media. Polina also served on the Resource Scholars and Artists Program, and was art coordinator for Project Eye to Eye, which serves children with learning disabilities. Polina is from New York City.

Heather McCrea of Wilton, Conn., has excelled as a member of the University’s varsity equestrian team throughout her four years at Brown. She co-chaired the team’s fund-raising efforts and served as its representative to the Student Athletic Advisory Board (SAAB). As a member of SAAB, she co-chaired its Spirit Committee and served as its secretary before being named co-president in the fall of 2001. Heather, who also serves on the Board of Directors of the Brown University Sports Foundation, will receive a degree in biochemistry.

Evan Michelson of Rockaway, N.J., has introduced Brown to hundreds of visitors, new students and parents as the head tour guide for the Bruin Club, as a committee co-chair of A Day on College Hill, and through the Orientation and Welcoming Committee. For several years, Evan taught and danced competitively on the Ballroom Dance Team and broadcast sporting events on WBSR. A Meiklejohn advisor, Evan was a member of Mezcla Dance Troupe and the Interfaith Dialogue Group. He will receive a degree in philosophy of science.

Since the summer of 1999 Darren Modzelewski of Southbury, Conn., has been active with Brown Outdoor Leadership Training as a trip organizer, trainer and steering committee member. He also participated in the American Experiential Education review of the program. For the past year Darren has been president of Native Americans at Brown, helping to organize Native American History Week. A member of the cycling team, Darren also has served on the Minority Review Committee for the Admissions Office. He will receive a degree in anthropology and history.

Gregory Moffitt of Manchester, Conn., has played key roles in a variety of student life and public service activities. He was a resident counselor and, later, coordinator of the Office of Student Life’s Resident Counseling Program, as well as a coordinator and teacher for Communities in Classrooms, a program affiliated with the Swearer Center for Public Service. Gregory, the co-president of the Class of 2002, also was vice president of the Brown Key Society’s community outreach efforts. He will receive a degree in education studies.

Maithili Parekh of Bombay, India, founded the International Mentoring Program, which provides peer support to about 150 international first-year students. She continues to coordinate IMP as well as serving as a Meiklejohn advisor to ten first-year students. Maithili was president of Brown International Organization and academic chair of South Asian Students Organization. Since 2000, she has served as an undergraduate representative on the Advisory Committee on University Planning. Maithili, one of two senior orators at Commencement, will receive a degree in international relations.

Justin Smith of Montclair, N.J., a minority peer counselor, also volunteered as a peer educator for AIDS Project Rhode Island, conducting outreach that focused on safer sexual practices. He has served as co-president of The Brotherhood, co-facilitator of The Next Thing, liaison with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Alliance, and events programmer for Organization of United African Peoples. He frequently participated on campus panels that addressed issues of race and sexuality, and appeared on stage with Rites and Reason Theater. Justin will receive a degree in sociology.

Chaplains office announces award winners

The Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life has announced the recipients of the Interfaith Leadership Award, the President James Manning Medal, and the Levi Adams Citation.

Brian Baruch Hershcopf of South Windsor, Conn., is accepting this year's award for Interfaith Leadership from the Gladys C. and Sherwin J. Kapstein Family Fund and the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island. The award is made in recognition of Baruch’s contributions to the Multi-faith Council and his leadership within the Zen community and the Multi-faith Meditation group.

The President James Manning Medal honors a graduating student whose pursuit of excellence in the study and practice of religion is exemplary. This year’s recipient is Omar Haque of Holmdel, N.J. (also a Joslin Award winner).

The Levi Adams Citation honors a senior for distinction and service in the leadership of a campus-based religious organization, project, or initiative. Hashim Mehter of Seattle, Wash., is the recipient of this year’s award. This citation acknowledges and honors the valuable leadership that Hashim has provided to the Muslim Student Association during his four years here at Brown, serving as the president of the BMSA for the last two years.

The Interfaith Leadership Award, the President James Manning Medal, and the Levi Adams Citation will be presented at the Baccalaureate Luncheon during Commencement weekend. Contact the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life, 863-2344, for further information.