May 7, 1999
Contact: Katherine Jackson
(804) 924-3629


AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS HONORED WITH NEW AWARD
FOR FOUR YEARS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT U.VA.

	Seventy African-American students at the University of Virginia
were honored recently at an awards dinner for their outstanding
achievements in academics, leadership and athletics.  The fourth-year
students, nearly 24 percent of the African-American students graduating
this year, received the Longevity of Excellence Award for achievements
exhibited throughout their years at U.Va. 
	M. Rick Turner, dean of African-American Affairs, said the award
was created this year to acknowledge African-American students who have
excelled throughout their college careers. Faculty and staff nominated
students who had maintained grade point averages of 3.4 or above for
four years.
	In remarks to the students Turner said, "You must continue to
challenge yourself and to excel as you move forward in your life. You
are well prepared to take the initiative in creating your own
opportunities."
	According to enrollment statistics, U.Va. posted an 85.4 percent
six-year graduation rate among African-American undergraduates who
entered the school in 1992, one of the highest in the country.
African-American students make up about 10 percent of U.Va.'s
undergraduate enrollment.	
	The Office of African-American Affairs programs and services
include the Peer Advisor Program, the African-American Student-Faculty
Mentoring program, personal counseling and advising, academic monitoring
and outreach, leadership development, academic workshops, referral
services, the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center, student advocacy and
the Parents Advisory Association.

###
	For more information, contact M. Rick Turner at (804) 924-7923.
Television reporters should call the TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.