Fire walk with me

This year's winners of the ninth annual George Magner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising have been announced.

They are Eduardo Elizondo, program coordinator for the Center for Mexican-American Studies, and Gretchen Wiggins, for her position as academic adviser for the College of Business Administration. Wiggins is now an academic coordinator for the College of Humanities, Fine Arts and Communication.

In 1991, Elizondo worked as an admissions counselor for 2.5 years. From there, he decided to postpone working and purse his master's degree in education at UH.

Before completing his degree, Elizondo returned to work in 1994 as program coordinator for the Center for Mexican-American Studies.

During his five years as coordinator, Elizondo has also been involved in retention programs and academic advising.

"To be recognized for doing my job is an honor," he said.

Elizondo was nominated by his supervisor and received support from his fellow staff members and students through several letters.

In order to receive the award, candidates had to have strong support from professional faculty, staff and students.

Wiggins, a faculty member at UH for 16 years, expressed her gratitude for receiving the award.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," she said. "I love working with the students. I've loved every year at UH."

This is not the first time that Wiggins has won an award. In 1995, she won an outstanding staff member award.

The Magner Award will be presented to the winners at the annual Staff Awards Ceremony March 18. Each winner will receive a plaque and a $500 stipend.

The recipients will also be honored during the upcoming Spring University Advisers' meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. March 15 in the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library's Brown Room.