KU News Release

Two KU seniors win 2007 ExCEL Awards

Ashley Bloom

Peter Curzon

LAWRENCE — Two University of Kansas seniors were presented as winners of the 16th annual Excellence in Community Education and Leadership Awards during halftime ceremonies at the KU-Nebraska homecoming football game in Memorial Stadium on Nov. 3.

Ashley Bloom, Hutchinson senior majoring in Spanish, and Peter Curzon, Phoenix, Ariz., senior in finance and history, were selected for the $500 awards by representatives of KU's Student Union Activities, the Board of Class Officers, the Student Involvement and Leadership Center and homecoming steering committee. Winners were selected from a field of 10 finalists also introduced at halftime.

The awards provide annual scholarships to a male student and a female student for achievement and leadership. Winners also must work on a leadership conference during the school year in conjunction with KU's Student Involvement and Leadership Center.

A selection committee with representatives from SUA, the Board of Class Officers, SILC and the homecoming steering committee chose winners on the basis of leadership, effective communication skills, involvement in the KU and Lawrence community, academic scholarship and ability to work with a variety of students and organizations. The award was established in 1991.

To be eligible, applicants must be full-time undergraduate students with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Each finalist completed an application and participated in an interview.

Bloom is the daughter of James and Susan Bloom and a graduate of Buhler High School. She co-directs Alternative Breaks, a service learning program at KU, and volunteers with JayDoc Free Clinic, managed by KU medical students in Kansas City, Kan. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and of the Douglas County United Way board.

Curzon, the son of Tom and Anne Curzon, is a graduate of Phoenix Country Day School, Paradise Valley, Ariz. As a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Curzon has participated in Rock Chalk Revue, a student philanthropic event, and served on the Interfraternity Council. He has volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence and participated in Jayhawks on Wall Street, a networking program for business students.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.