Pueblo -- Colorado State University - Pueblo announced this week that graduating senior Diana Reno of Pueblo is the 2004 recipient of the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence.

Named for the late Budge Threlkeld, a former administrator and professor, the award is presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence in academic and co-curricular activities as well as in service to the University and to the community. Five outstanding students were selected as candidates for the Prize and the winner will be honored at the Achievement Day luncheon at CSU-Pueblo on Sunday, April 18.

To be considered for the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence, nominees must be a graduating senior (fall 2003, spring 2004 or summer 2004) who will have completed at least four semesters at CSU-Pueblo; have at least a 3.7 grade point average for the three full-time semesters prior to nomination; and relate, in writing, co-curricular activities as well as service to both the university and the community. A selection committee consisting of representatives from each college, the library, a retiree, and a classified employee review the applications, then select and interview the finalists.

The recipient receives a plaque and a substantial cash stipend upon graduation. Reno's name also will appear on a permanent plaque located in the Joseph Occhiato University Center.
The mother of three children, Reno will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in secondary education on Saturday, May 1 and intends to teach at the high school level and eventually pursue a master's degree. She was named to the Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. She also has delivered papers at undergraduate and professional conferences, successfully completing the Southern Colorado Writing Project Summer Institute and serving as a teaching assistant and collaborator in Dr. Katherine Frank Dvorsky's innovative Problem-based Learning classes in English literature. Her community service primarily consisting of coaching service and she is an active member of the Southern Colorado Runner's Club. She has coached the cross-country and track and field teams at Pueblo County High and has been a volunteer coach for the YWCA Summer Track Program and the Mercury Track Club.

Five other students were nominated for the award.

Women's basketball team captain Terri Joy, Buffalo, Wyo., will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. Although her major was Psychology, she has embarked on a challenging academic program of courses in biology and chemistry. Joy has been accepted to the Physician Assistance Program at Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz. and plans to complete a 27-month program to obtain a master's degree. She then intends to become nationally certified as a Physician's Assistant and begin work in the medical field. In addition to her course work and university athletic activities, she volunteers her time to a number of service activities in the community, including Operation Christmas Child at the Central Christian Church, the Colorado Women's Foundation, the Pueblo Zoo, the physical therapist unit at Parkview Hospital and reading to Bessemer Elementary School third graders and Pueblo West Elementary fourth graders.

Sara Brandt, Pueblo, will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. Brandt has volunteered her time with the Department of Social Services in the Specialized Adolescent Services Unit and completed an independent study at Spanish Peaks Academy, developing behavior modification programs for the students at the school. An article she co-authored with Dr. Paul Kulkosky will be published later this year in the international journal Physiology & Behavior. Brandt has been active in the Associated Students' Government advancing from a Senator to Speaker Pro-tem and eventually Vice President. She is also involved in other campus groups such as the Catholic Students' Union, the Sailing Club, Peer Mentoring with Student Academic Services, and served as President of the Psychology Club. She intends to work with a program for troubled adolescents and their families after attending graduate school.

Darlene Tafoya, Pueblo, an active student athlete, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems and a minor in business administration. She intends to pursue an M.B.A. at CSU-Pueblo. While juggling school work and participation on the volleyball team, Tafoya has also volunteered her services as a web intern at School District 60 and The Pueblo Chieftain. She has also volunteered at Pueblo County High School as a volleyball coach and math tutor. Her efforts on behalf of student athletes in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, led to her nomination to attend the NCAA 2004 Leadership Conference.

Chris DeJean, Pueblo, will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in automotive industry management with a double minor in business administration and leadership studies. DeJean plans to begin work in the automotive industry, and has already received job offers from MHC Kenworth and Ford Motor Company. DeJean has been active on campus participating in the Automotive Society of Engineers Club, the President's Leadership Program, and the CSU-Pueblo Automotive Booster Club. His time with the Automotive Booster club included working at the tune-up clinics every semester and attending the SEMA show in Las Vegas and the Detroit Auto Show. His involvement continues off campus with the Tom and Louie's Cupboard Food Drive, the El Pomar Leadership Summit, the El Pueblo Boy and Girls Ranch, and helping coach an under 10 boys PSSA team.

Marla Grossman, Pueblo, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in business m with a marketing emphasis. Following graduation, she plans to attend a semester-long leadership program at the Focus on the Family Institute and then spend time overseas in Chile working in a children's home. After a few years working in the field, she intends to return to CSU-Pueblo to pursue her M.B.A. Grossman has worked as a mentor with Cool Kids, a Pueblo Youth Project Program as well as in after-school character-building programs at four of Pueblo's elementary schools: Eva Baca, Morton, Irving and Minnequa. She also is active at her church serving as the nursery coordinator, organizing performing dramas, and co-teaching Sunday School for first through third graders.

Previous Threlkeld Recipients include:
1990 - Tina M. Granato
1991 - Denise A. Berens
1992 - Mario X. Trujillo
1993 - Patricia L. Clark
1994 - Lisa Huerta
1995 - Anna Cosyleon
1996 - John D. Lopez
1997 - Christopher Spahr
1998 - Carlos S. Salguero
1999 - Zane Reif
2000 - Haley Rich
2001 - Shane Hale
2002 - Stephen L. Tompkins II
2003 - Crystal Mize

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.