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Robert
Logan Nugent Award
These awards were established by the Alumni Association in 1964 and are named in memory
of Robert Logan Nugent who was the Executive Vice President of The University
of Arizona when he died in June of 1963. Dr. Nugent served Tucson and the University
for more than thirty years and was particularly devoted to guiding and helping
Arizona's young men and women. He earned his M.S. in 1925 at The University
of Arizona, was a professor of chemistry, dean of the graduate and liberal
arts colleges and vice president before being named to the second highest post
at the University.
See Past Nugent Medal Recipients
2008 Outstanding
Senior Award Recipients:
Ruth Fesahazion
Ruth Feshazion graduated with a Bachelor of Science in health sciences from the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and with honors from the Honor's College.
Born as a first-generation American to Eritrean war refugee parents, Ruth parents instilled in her a strong sense of giving back to those who have helped her in her journey and committed to a future assisting minority communities to succeed.
At the UA, Ruth has worked at the UA Department of Multicultural Affairs and Student Success (MASS) as a peer advisor for the Pathways Program and Student Support Services. She worked to improve retention among underrepresented incoming freshman students helping with their transition to the university.
In addition, to her work as a peer advisor, Ruth, under the mentorship of Dr. Joel Meister, Maia Ingram and Jean McClelland, examined the rights of migrant farm workers. The project examined the influence of immigration policy on migrant farm workers and investigated ways to make migrant farm workers more aware of their rights. Ruth presented her research at Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABCRMS) where she won an award for top oral presentation in the social sciences.
In October 2003, Ruth placed 1st in the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) national youth entrepreneurship program (Bizfest). As a result, she then interned with the USHCC Foundation in Washington DC. There, she conducted and evaluated the BizFest program and developed the framework for the scholarship program.
Ruth also had the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Jack Zwanziger at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ruth examined the complexity of the relationship between socioeconomic status and mortality rates. Her research examined the factors most influential to health disparities and she hopes to continue this research this spring.
Ruth’s academic record has been recognized and earned her many university scholarships including being named the Ronald E. McNair Scholar, UA Black Alumni Scholar, 2007 Undergraduate Centennial Award winner and University of Arizona President's Award for Excellence Scholar.
After graduation, Ruth plans on pursuing a doctorate in Health Policy and Administration. Her goal is to effectively implement policy in minority communities to reduce health disparities.
Abbas Tuli
Abbas Tuli received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from the College of Science.
Abbas is originally from Tanzania, transferred to the University of Arizona from the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) after being awarded a full-tuition International Student Scholarship. He has served as vice president for the African American Students’ Association, the treasurer for Caring for the Advancement of Refugee Education (C.A.R.E.) and an active member in the African Students’ Association. Abbas also ran for Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) senate in the spring of 2007 a year after transferring to the UA.
As a legacy, Abbas is a proud of being a founder of the African American Students’ Association (AASA) also known as B.L.A.C.K. – Bringing Knowledge And Creating Knowledge. The club h elps students achieve academic excellence enriching their African American cultural experience at the University. Recently,
AASA organized the Black History Month Celebration which drew crowds from all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic classes. Additionally, Abbas has been a mentor to his residents serving as a Resident Assistant for two years and has also mentored biochemistry freshmen and transfer students as a biochemistry peer ambassador and peer mentor.
Abbas also worked as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Murray Brilliant’s molecular genetics laboratory studying the possible relationship between oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) and the 38l protein produced by mycobacterium leprae. The type of albinism Abbas studied is known as, a recessively inherited genetic condition prevalent throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with highest recorded cases in Tanzania. The world-wide incidence of OCA2 is 1 in 38,000; in Tanzania it is 1 in 2000. Abbas has been instrumental in communicating with both local and international scientists to collaborate in the research.
Abbas has always wanted to become a healthcare professional. Having seen the health disparities that exist in his home country of Tanzania, he was inspired to do something about it. Abbas will be attending the UA’s Mel and Enid Zuckermann College of Public Health in the fall of 2008. Eventually, Abbas intends to pursue a degree in medicine and assist in elevating the health disparities that exist locally, nationally and internationally.
Senior
Awards Past Recipients
Freeman Medal Recipients
Robie Medals Recipients
Nugent Awards Recipients
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