This month University of Houston-Victoria President Tim Hudson will give his annual address to the community. New to the event will be the presentation of several awards for faculty and staff excellence, as well as three new honors—a student leadership award, a distinguished alumni award, and a community partnership award.

The Leadership Award was created to recognize a currently enrolled student who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and has demonstrated exemplary leadership and initiative on behalf of the university. Lacey Bonner, a student majoring in psychology and biology, will be recognized with the distinction.

Bonner currently serves as secretary for the Student Senate, secretary for the Mexican-American Student Organization, president of the United Campus Ministries and a co-captain of the UHV Relay for Life team. She is an enthusiastic advocate for the university, which she describes as offering great learning experiences. Upon completing her studies at UHV, Bonner plans to enter the medical field.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to a graduate who has distinguished himself or herself professionally while also demonstrating leadership abilities in service to his or her community. Dorothy Alcorn, who completed a Master of Arts degree at UHV in 1986, will be the first to receive this recognition.

An active volunteer and civic leader, Alcorn’s service to the greater Victoria community and to her alma mater is notable. For more than 20 years she has been a member of the university’s Advisory Council, and she served on the UH System Board of Regents from 1987-93. She is also an active member of the Junior League and recipient of the organization’s Sustainer of the Year Award.

The IDEA Award is given to a community organization which has, in partnership with UHV, advanced the quality of life for communities in the Coastal Bend region while demonstrating innovation, effectiveness and sustainability. This year the award will be presented to the Black History Month Steering Committee.

Organized in the early 1980s, the committee’s mission is to enrich and educate the Victoria community through the activities of Black History Month. Today the committee exists as a collaboration among UHV, the Victoria College and the Cultural Council of Victoria. Annual activities sustained by the committee include a parade, festival, and poster contest during the month of February.

“UHV enjoys extraordinary relationships with its students, alumni and community collaborators that make the success of our mission possible. These awards underscore our deep appreciation for individuals who are examples of the possibilities inherent in partnerships with higher education,” said UHV President Tim Hudson.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the president’s annual address to the community, which will be held Thursday, November 9, in the UHV Multi-Purpose Room. The event will highlight the university’s accomplishments of the last year and outline plans for the future. Dinner and entertainment are planned for the evening. For more information, contact UHV special events coordinator Nancy Love at (361) 570-4351.