University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

August 23, 2001	Contact: Jeffron Boynes (312) 413-8702; jboynes@uic.edu
	Keli Trousdale (312) 413-7793; ktrous1@uic.edu

SEVEN UIC STUDENTS RECEIVE AVERY BRUNDAGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Seven University of Illinois at Chicago students were awarded Avery Brundage Scholarships. Each will receive $2,000 for the 2001-2002 academic year.

To be eligible, scholarship candidates must engage in athletics for personal development rather than as preparation for professional athletics while they work toward a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. Undergraduates must be in the upper 25 percent of their class. Graduate or professional students must be in good academic standing.

The seven UIC students, along with their academic majors and main sports of interest, are:

Julie-Anne Celeste Chico of Oak Lawn (information decision sciences and marketing; swimming) David Dubois of Rockford (medicine/radiology; volleyball and rowing)
William Gillaspie of Peoria (medicine; running, swimming and triathlon)
Emilia Juocys of Rochester Hills, Mich. (kinesiology; rugby)
Nadia Ori of Highland Park (exercise physiology; gymnastics)
Rachel Smith of Mundelein (accounting; gymnastics)
Nathan Stitziel of Chicago (medicine/bioinformatics; long distance running)

The scholarship program was established in 1974 by an endowment from Avery Brundage, a University of Illinois alumnus and former president of the International and U.S. Olympic committees. Over the past 27 years, a total of $557,000 has been awarded to 588 students.

Several of this year's recipients have decided how they will spend their award money.

"The money will go toward tuition and fees so I don't have to burden my parents to pay for my college," said Chico.

Stitziel will use his money to remain active in sports.
I want to buy a new bike and start racing in triathlons and other races, which can be pretty pricey," he said.

However, not all students will continue competing in sports.

"I'm going to finish my career as a collegiate gymnast this year since I'm graduating in 2002," said Ori.

Regardless of how the students spend their scholarship money, they are all grateful.

"The government has terrific loan programs available, but to have money given without repayment is truly a gift," Gillaspie said. "I am thankful for this scholarship."

For more information about UIC, visit www.uic.edu

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