Quantifying the big one Albright, Reich to speak this month Eavesdropping on extraterrestrial intelligence Digging technology: Wielding multimedia tools, Oakland sixth graders study the ancients Butting out: In smoke-free workplaces, smokers more likely to quit, study finds Seismic and infrastructure upgrade projects set to commence this summer From a field of 599, Berkeley junior chosen for Truman Scholarship Notes from the Academic Senate's spring meeting   Awards   Campus Calendar   News Briefs

From a field of 599, Berkeley junior chosen for Truman Scholarship Posted May 3, 2000 Molecular environmental biology major Celina Yong has a new feather in her cap. The Berkeley junior -- who has worked in medial clinics in Quito, Ecuador; volunteered at San Francisco General Hospital's emergency room; interned in health care policy at The White House and helped research lung proteins at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab -- was recently named a recipient of a prestigious Truman Scholarship. The award is based on leadership potential, intellectual ability and the likelihood of "making a difference." Originally from Rohnert Park, Yong is one of 61 Truman Scholars selected from among 599 candidates nominated by 311 colleges and universities across the country. Each scholarship provides $30,000 -- $3,000 for the student's senior year and $27,000 for two or three years of graduate study. Yong plans to pursue medical and master's of public health degrees. She hopes to work as a physician and, eventually, in global public health care policy. At Berkeley, Yong has maintained a 3.971 grade point average while involved in leadership and public service activities. In 1998, she founded Promise America, a program that trains student volunteers to encourage disadvantaged elementary students to set and achieve their goals. She is now national director of the program, which she has expanded to 22 states. She is co-editor-in-chief of Issues Berkeley Medical Journal and a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee. Yong is also an accomplished ballet dancer and poet. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd U.S. President. The 2000 Truman Scholarship recipients will attend a week-long leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and receive their awards in a May 28 ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Mo.   [HOME]   [SEARCH]   [ARCHIVE] May 3 - 9, 2000 (Volume 28, Number 32) Copyright 2000, The Regents of the University of California. Produced and maintained by the Office of Public Affairs at UC Berkeley. Comments? E-mail berkeleyan@pa.urel.berkeley.edu.