USA TODAY AWARD NOMINATIONS NEEDED

Nominations of students are being accepted for USA Today's 2005 "Best and Brightest" competition.

USA Today established the All-USA College Academic Team awards to send a message that achievement and activism are to be highly valued. USA Today calls them the nation's "best and brightest." Previous Old Dominion University winners include Kristine Gonzalez and Rosemarie Liu, both from the College of Sciences, who were selected in 1998 and 2002, respectively.

As many as five students may be selected for Old Dominion's nominations. Basic eligibility criteria include:

- Full-time undergraduate, currently enrolled;
- Minimum of a 3.75 cumulative GPA;
- Minimum of 60 hours completed; and
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership inside or outside of the university evidenced by creative intellectual endeavor (began during the student's college career) in scholarly research, in the arts, in literature, in community service or in public affairs. The endeavor must have earned some type of public recognition or achieved some tangible results.

Any faculty, staff, chaplain or alumnus may nominate a student for the Best and Brightest Award by downloading a nomination form and faxing it to 683-5715 or sending it to Kaye Patten Wallace, associate vice president for student services, 2008 Webb Center. The form can be downloaded at
http://studentservices.odu.edu/bestbright.

Each nominee meeting basic eligibility requirements will be contacted at his/her current address and invited to submit an application and supporting materials. Nominators may choose to follow-up to encourage nominees to complete the application process.

A screening committee will review the applications, conduct personal interviews, and forward recommendations to the president for her review and final selection. Those selected will receive a $200 book stipend and will be nominated by the university to compete nationally for honors that include a trophy and $2,500 cash.

Please send nominations no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17, to Student Services, 2008 Webb Center.