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Outstanding students recognized at The University of Texas at Austin

Students from Katy, Corpus Christi and El Paso received Parents’ Association Outstanding Student Awards at The University of Texas at Austin during Parents’ Weekend activities that also honored outstanding members of the campus staff.

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AUSTIN, Texas—Students from Katy, Corpus Christi and El Paso received Parents’ Association Outstanding Student Awards at The University of Texas at Austin during Parents’ Weekend activities that also honored outstanding members of the campus staff.

The Parents’ Association Outstanding Student Award was established in 1951 to recognize student leadership on campus. Leith Abdulla, Alexandra Chirinos and Cookie Peterson received their awards at the annual Parents’ Weekend Breakfast on Oct. 26.

Abdulla, a senior majoring in electrical and computer engineering, is the president of Student Engineers Educating Kids and is a Texas Blazer. He is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Warith Abdulla of Katy.

Chirinos is a senior majoring in Plan II, business honors and finance. She is a Truman Scholar and a Rhodes Scholar nominee and also works closely with the Student Volunteer Board. She is the daughter of Arlene and Robert Rivera of Corpus Christi.

Peterson, also a senior, is majoring in sociology and African and African-American Studies. She is a member of the African-American Culture Committee and a volunteer in the Multicultural Information Center. She is the daughter of Jan Peterson and William Peterson III of El Paso.

For the past five years, the Parents’ Association also has given merit awards to outstanding staff members in the Division of Student Affairs. The $1,000 award to each recipient recognizes student affairs professionals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the welfare of students.

Recipients this year are:

  • Cassandre Giguere Alvarado, coordinator of the Freshman Interest Group Program.
  • Brenda Burt, coordinator of the Multicultural Information Center.
  • Carolyn Dolit, student affairs administrator, Services for Students with Disabilities.
  • Yolanda Keeling, administrative associate, University Health Services.
  • Annelle Lester, senior administrative associate, Office of the Registrar.

For more information contact: Lynn Davis, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, 512-232-3998, or Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.