May 2002
And the Awards Go To…
Annual GW and Alumni Award Winners Named
GW AWARDS
Established in 1976, the George Washington Awards recognize those members
of the GW community whose accomplishments have had a significant impact
on GW and whose service has far exceeded that which is usual or expected.
•Edward Caress, executive associate dean, CCAS, professor of chemistry,
CCAS — Throughout his service as an associate and interim dean,
Caress has been the stable force behind the administration of the Columbian
College, specifically fostering ties with alumni and serving as the
authority of CCAS budgetary matters. In addition, he is GW’s faculty
representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association and he
has served as co-chair of the University Task Force on Sexual Harassment.
•Jason Cohen, graduate student and general manager, WRGW-AM —
Cohen has been instrumental in cultivating GW’s only radio station
from his days as an undergraduate (BA ’00). He helped lead the
Marvin Center administration in planning and equipping a new studio;
helped introduce live Web casting of music and basketball games; and
helped make the show, “GW Presents Capital Jazz,” an educational
and enrichment opportunity for GW students at WRGW.
•Joel Cook, associate dean for undergraduate programs, SBPM, associate
professor, strategic management and public policy, SBPM — Among
his many accomplishments, Cook established a “Vision 21” conference
to refine and improve SBPM’s curriculum. In addition, he created
the GW Paris Study Center and was there for its launch on Sept. 11.
In the following days, Cook helped ensure the physical and emotional
well being of not only GW students, but also other American students
in Paris. He also oversees and champions co-curricular activities such
as the New York trip and the Mintz Sophomore Getaway.
•Diane DePalma, director, University Counseling Center — The
tragic events on Sept. 11 crystallized DePalma’s 20-year dedication
and commitment to the community. She led counseling sessions in the
residence halls and J Street, offered drop-in counseling at the Marvin
Center, and mobilized staff members to the Mount Vernon Campus. She
worked with deans and advisers to assist students affected by the tragedy
and helped create protocols for academic withdrawals, leaves of absence,
and eventual return. She initiated new services such as the UCC Web
site crisis response, walk-in services, outreach programs, and group
support services.
•Roger Kapoor, president, Student Association — Kapoor has
served the past year as student body president, leading such efforts
as a candlelight vigil on Sept. 12, implementing a classroom task force
to ensure classroom quality, increasing funding for student organizations,
helping to improve campus security, and working with the Foggy Bottom
community. As a student, Kapoor is one of only eight students in GW’s
highly selective BA/MD program and was just named to USA Today’s
All Academic Team. He also has his own non-profit organization, American
Relief Foundation, which raises money for the needy.
•Truyen Pham, senior information systems engineer, Information
Systems and Services — Pham, a 15-year veteran of GW who first
started shelving books at Gelman Library, has helped develop the University
computer network based on his own innovative ideas. When many in the
industry said it couldn’t be done, he was able to deliver a high-speed
fiber optic network to the desktop, residence hall rooms, and labs throughout
campus, totaling more than 12,000 fiber connections. His other achievements
include the proxy system that allows off-campus access to University
resources and the virus filtering system for GW E-mail.
ALUMNI AWARDS
Established in 1937 to recognize individuals who have excelled in their
professional and personal lives, this year’s honorees will be recognized
at the “Monumental Celebration” and during Commencement.
•Ruth Cooper Burg, CCAS ’45; Law ’50 — Burg is former
administrative judge for the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
She currently acts as a neutral in alternative dispute resolution matters.
•Kenneth P. Moritsugu, SMHS ’71 — Rear Admiral Moritsugu,
an officer in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, was appointed
acting US surgeon general in February 2002.
•William A. Owens, SBPM ’76 — Owens is vice chair and
co-chief executive officer of Teledesic LLC, a satellite telecommunications
firm.
•Elliott C. Roberts Sr., SPHHS ’64 — A former hospital
administrator, Roberts is currently a health administration professor
at Louisiana State University Medical School and Xavier University College
of Pharmacy.
•Ya-Qin Zhang, SEAS ’89 — Zhang is managing director
of Microsoft Research Asia, located in Beijing.
•James W. Ziglar, CCAS ’68; Law ’72 — Ziglar was
appointed commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
in 2001, following his service as sergeant at arms of the US Senate.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
