Staff Report
The 2002 UNM International Excellence Awards were presented to five individuals from the UNM community to highlight Wednesday's program at the International Education Week celebration held at Johnson Center.
The International Excellence Awards are given each year to students, staff and faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the international community in scholarship, research and education.
This year's recipients are Deborah Boehm, a graduate student in the Anthropology Department; Guillermina Engelbrecht, director of Latin American Programs in education and regents professor; Carolyn Gonzalez, senior public affairs representative; Ruth Hashimoto, volunteer for the Alliance for Transportation Research Institute; and Arthur Kaufman, chairman of Family and Community Medicine.
"These are people who have made outstanding contributions to international programs at UNM," said Jennifer Gruenewald, director of international programs and studies.
Boehm was given the award for her work in numerous study abroad programs and her research on international projects. She is an instructor in the Women's Studies and Anthropology Departments.
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Engelbrecht was recognized for international professional development programs that bring participants from around the world. She teaches courses in early childhood education and is the graduate adviser for early childhood education.
Kaufman was awarded for working to improve health care of underserved populations around the world and being instrumental in starting the School of Medicine's Office of International Health on UNM's north campus.
Gonzales was honored for her work with the Germany Today for Young Journalists from the USA program, which gives UNM students an opportunity to see how the German media work.
Hashimoto was honored for her lifetime contribution as an international humanitarian. She started the New Mexico chapter of the United Nations Program and was involved in developing the Sister Cities International Program.
The international festival featured various performances from different cultures throughout the day. It included flamenco dancing, belly dancing, traditional Aztec dancing, Hula dancing, classical Indian dancing and Capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts form.
There was also a sampling of foods from Azerbaijan, Africa, Brazil, Cuba, China, France, Germany, Hawai'i, India, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela.
The event was sponsored by the Office of International Programs and Studies, the Center for English Language and American Culture, Student Special Events, the Indian Student Association, the Student Fees Review Board, the Vice President of Student Affairs, the School of Law, the College of Arts and Sciences, the History Department, Communications and Journalism Department and the Political Science Department.
