USA TODAY NAMES NHS SENIOR TO FIRST TEAM

David Fajgenbaum, a senior within the Department of Human Science at the School of Nursing & Health Studies, was named to the 2007 All-USA College Academic First Team.

USA TODAY made the announcement on Feb. 15, naming 20 students to its 18th annual All-USA College Academic Team. The newspaper honored them for outstanding intellectual achievement and leadership.

Each student will receive a $2,500 cash award. The team was selected by a panel of judges from nearly 600 students nominated by colleges and universities across the United States. Judges considered grades, leadership, activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom.

“We are deeply pleased that USA TODAY selected David for this prestigious honor,” said NHS Dearn Bette Keltner. “We expect our students to flourish at NHS, where they develop a strong academic grounding, leadership skills, and an appreciation for the importance of serving others. David has certainly been an exemplar in all of his pursuits, and we congratulate him.”

Fajgenbaum, who was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, is profiled on the GUMC Web site. Earlier in February, he also won a 2007 Brick Award. The award is given by the organization Do Something, which encourages young people to create their own vision for making a difference in the community. Fajgenbaum will receive a $10,000 community grant.

In 2003, Dorothy Fink (NHS'03) was named to USA TODAY's first team. She is currently a fourth-year medical student at Georgetown University School of Medicine.