Nancy Welch Award Recipients Named at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Five University at Buffalo residential students have been named recipients of the Nancy Welch Award for developing, implementing or supporting creative outstanding programs and projects to benefit the university student community.

The award is named for the former residential coordinator of UB's Rachel Carson College. First-, second- and third-place winners received a cash award and plaque.

Brian T. Clare of East Northport, a sophomore majoring in geology and astronomy, won the first-place award for his "Spaulbados Beach Party." Designed to provide a sense of community among Spaulding Hall residents, the program also educated residents about the value of healthy nutrition and exercise while attempting to cope with a long Buffalo winter.

The second-place award went to Adam P. Haney of Baldwinsville, a sophomore communication major, who was honored for developing a program, "Wanna Talk About Safety?," that sought solutions to personal-safety issues.

Ivan Loh of Singapore and Corrine Novak of New York City shared the third-place prize. Loh, a junior psychology major, was honored for his "Martial Arts Demonstration" program that educated residents about the history of martial arts and its associated principles of non-violence. Both campus and external martial arts experts shared their expertise with students. Residents also enjoyed a culinary cultural exchange and were treated to a home-cooked Chinese meal.

Novak, a senior psychology major, was honored for her "Brain Teaser" program designed to improve residents' knowledge of American history and international themes.

Honorable mention went to Michael C. Bernhard of Clifton Park for his "Let's Talk About Sex" program. The program is designed to provide freshmen with the option of discussing issues of sexuality in either a face-to-face setting in the residence hall, or in a less-threatening environment by calling their questions in to a health and human services expert at UB's WRUB radio station. Bernhard is a junior majoring in English and communication.